Equine Welfare

Horse Tendon Injuries: Prevention and Welfare

Tendon injuries are among the most common and welfare-significant conditions in horses, causing pain, lameness, and often ending athletic careers.

Key Facts

The superficial digital flexor tendon is most commonly injured in horses
Tendon injuries account for a large proportion of equine lameness cases
Healing is slow due to poor blood supply in tendons
Stem cell and PRP therapies show promise for improved healing
Many tendon injuries result from overtraining or poor footing
Ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosing tendon injuries

Welfare Considerations

Tendon injuries cause significant acute pain and prolonged discomfort during the lengthy healing process, which can last 12-18 months. Horses experiencing tendon injuries often face repeated cycles of injury and re-injury, leading to chronic lameness and premature retirement. Prevention through appropriate training loads and good management is essential to horse welfare.

What You Can Do

Work with equine vets to develop appropriate training and conditioning programs
Monitor horses closely for early signs of lameness or heat in lower limbs
Ensure proper footing in training and competition areas
Support research into improved tendon healing therapies
Consider the welfare implications before pushing horses beyond their physical limits