Tendon injuries are among the most challenging conditions in horses, requiring prolonged rehabilitation that tests both horse and owner. Understanding welfare during recovery helps optimize management.
Tendon injury welfare creates a genuine tension: the physical healing process requires restricted movement, but horses are evolved for movement and experience significant psychological distress during prolonged box rest. Box rest causes stereotypies, weaving, and other stress behaviors. Management strategies that minimize box rest duration - using controlled exercise regimes, physical therapy, and gradual return to work - improve both healing outcomes and welfare. Providing hay ad libitum, companion visual access, and environmental enrichment during box rest reduces behavioral welfare compromise.