Suspensory Ligament Pain & Swelling in Horses | Causes, Care, and When to Call the Vet

 

Soft Tissue Soundness

Suspensory Ligament Pain & Swelling In Horses

The suspensory ligament is critical for weight-bearing and stability. When it becomes strained or overloaded, horses show swelling, heat, dropping behind, or clear lameness. This guide helps you understand what those signs mean and how to respond safely.

What You Are Seeing

What Suspensory Swelling Means

Suspensory swelling often shows up between the splint bones or higher up near the hock. Heat, pain, or a dropping hind end point toward strain or injury. Some mild irritation resolves quickly; deeper lesions require imaging and rehab.

Horses with suspensory pain often look “uneven behind” before they look truly lame.
Why It Happens

Common Causes Of Suspensory Pain & Swelling

  • Overload or Overuse: fast work, tight turns, deep footing, or conditioning spikes.
  • Soft Tissue Strain: irritation or micro-tears in the ligament fibers.
  • Proximal Suspensory Desmitis: inflammation where the ligament attaches near the hock.
  • Suspensory Branch Injuries: swelling along the inside or outside of the cannon bone.
  • Conformational Stress: long pasterns, straight hocks, or downhill builds.
  • Impact or Trauma: missteps, slips, or interference hits.
  • Degenerative Suspensory Disease: chronic weakening in older or certain breed lines.

Suspensory issues often start subtly — early recognition makes recovery dramatically easier.

Real Rider Routine

A Three Step Plan For Mild, Cool Suspensory Swelling

This plan is for horses with mild swelling, low sensitivity, and no clear lameness — always confirm with your veterinarian.

Step 1

Immediate Movement Reduction

Suspensory injuries worsen with load. Reduce work immediately while monitoring swelling and sensitivity.

Step 2

Cold Therapy When Appropriate

Use cold therapy early in the process if your veterinarian recommends it. Avoid overuse or excessive duration.

Step 3

Support Soft Tissue Comfort Consistently

Comfort routines support ligaments through recovery and conditioning — one of the biggest helpers in long-term management.

Soft tissue comfort matters. When the suspensory feels supported, your horse moves with more confidence and stability.
Explore Products
Where Our Products Fit

How Riders Use Draw It Out® For Suspensory Support

  • Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Gel along the suspensory body and branches pre and post work.
  • Draw It Out® RTU Spray for broad lower-limb coverage after intense schooling or hauling.
  • CryoSpray Cooling Body Brace when cooling is recommended following strain or overload.
  • MasterMudd™ EquiBrace for deeper, targeted soft tissue support under veterinary guidance.

Suspensory Ligament Pain & Swelling — FAQ

What are early signs of suspensory injury

Early signs include mild swelling along the cannon bone, heat in the suspensory branches, toe-dragging, stumbling, or a subtle “dropping” look behind.

Is suspensory swelling always serious

Yes. Swelling around the suspensory should always be taken seriously, even if the horse is not obviously lame. Soft tissue responds poorly to continued stress.

How long does a suspensory strain take to heal

Mild strains may improve in weeks; moderate to severe injuries often require months of controlled rehab. Imaging is the only way to know the true extent of injury.

Can I ride a horse with suspensory pain

No. Riding through suspensory pain causes rapid worsening and increases risk of tears. Stop work until your veterinarian evaluates the horse.

How does Draw It Out® help with suspensory issues

Draw It Out® products support soft tissue comfort and recovery. Riders use them along the suspensory body, around the branches, and across the hind limbs as part of a vet-approved routine.

This guide is for education only. If your horse shows heat, sudden swelling, reluctance to bear weight, fever, or worsening lameness, contact your veterinarian immediately.