Equine Tendon Injuries: Welfare and Rehabilitation

Key Facts

• The SDFT is the most commonly injured equine tendon, particularly in racehorses and eventers
• Tendon injuries cause acute pain, heat, and swelling in the lower limb — the classic 'bowed tendon'
• Healing is slow and unpredictable — horses require 12-18 months of carefully managed rest and controlled exercise
• Regenerative therapies (PRP, stem cells, IRAP) are widely used but evidence of superior outcomes is mixed
• Re-injury rate is high (over 50% in racehorses) — the healed tendon is mechanically inferior to native tissue

Welfare Considerations

Equine tendon injuries create prolonged welfare challenges through the acute pain of the injury, the frustration of extended box rest, and the risk of recurrence. Horses confined to box rest for 12-18 months experience significant psychological welfare impacts — behavioral frustration, stereotypy development, and social deprivation. Welfare-centered rehabilitation introduces controlled exercise progressively: hand-walking, then small paddock turnout, then controlled ridden work. The horse's psychological welfare during rehabilitation must be prioritized alongside physical recovery, with regular interaction, appropriate turnout when safe, and environmental enrichment throughout.

What You Can Do

• Apply cold therapy (ice, cold hosing) immediately following tendon injury to limit inflammation
• Commit to the full rehabilitation timeline — returning to exercise too early dramatically increases re-injury risk
• Provide turnout as soon as safe in a small, safe paddock to address psychological welfare during recovery
• Use NSAID pain relief as prescribed throughout the recovery period
• Discuss regenerative therapy options (PRP, stem cells) with your vet as part of rehabilitation planning