Horse Injuries - Bowed Tendon

I received a question from Yvonne, a prospective horse buyer, who was told the horse they were looking at picking up had a previous tendon injury. Horses who are used in speed events or hunter/jumper type activities usually face a bigger chance at soft tissue injuries such as injuries to their tendons which usually occur when the tendons are stretched beyond the limits of their elasticity. This can really occur in any activity horseback. I would suggest paying for a vet check for overall health and soundness, however the prospective buyer can do a preliminary inspection of a horse to determine if they want to proceed.

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, commonly occuring in the superficial digital flexor tendon behind the front leg bones, which is the tendon closet to the surface. Just behind the superficial digital flexor tendon is the deep digital flexor tendon, .....these are the tendons connect the fetlock and the knee are are the tendons that some people are taught to squeeze to cue the horse to raise his leg for cleaning the foot.

When that tendon is torn then healed, a “bowed tendon” appearance will be visual. This is a result of the tendon being torn then healing with scar tissue causing a lesion type thickening or knot on the tendon.



Smaller or less invasive injuries will also cause torn tendons and scar tissue, so ‘pre-buy” inspections should included feeling this tendon for evidence of previous injuries and build of of scare tissue. Manipulation and palpitating the joints and soft tissue to detect abnormalities, swelling and pain is a good idea. If you get a Vet to do a pre-buy check watch what they do and ask questions which is a great way to start to learn. Otherwise lameness issues and causes is a pretty complicated area, but an area that the aspiring horseman should work to learn. "Understanding Lameness" by Terry Swanson, DVM, available from Western Horseman books, is a very good resource to have.

Safe Journey and let the horse buyer beware.