Horse Tendon Injuries: Signs, Causes & What to Do | Draw It Out®

Horse Tendon Injury — Signs & Treatment Guide | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Leg Care 101

Horse Tendon Injury — Signs & Treatment Guide

When a leg runs hot and puffy, you need a calm plan. This rider-first guide shows you what to look for, what to do in the barn, when to call your vet, and how to fit cool-first, coat-second care into rehab—no menthol burn, no alcohol sting, no perfumes or dyes.

Spot the Signs (Fast)

  • Heat & swelling: along the back of the cannon (“bowed” look) or around the fetlock.
  • Sensitivity: horse reacts when you run fingers gently along the tendon line.
  • Lameness: from mild to severe; may worsen on a tight turn.
  • Asymmetry: compare both legs—look, feel, and measure if you can.
  • After a slip, deep footing, or hard effort: risk climbs and signs can show within hours.
Jump to First Aid Vet Red Flags

First 5-Minute Barn Check

  1. Quiet the horse: stall or small pen. Keep calm.
  2. Compare legs: eyes + hands for heat, swelling, and tenderness.
  3. Check for wounds: especially near joints/tendon sheaths. Deep or puncture = call vet now.
  4. Walk straight & turn: note any head-bob or short stride. Don’t lunge hard.
  5. Take a temp if possible: fever + hot, painful leg suggests infection—emergency.

This page supports decision-making in the barn; it doesn’t replace diagnosis or treatment.

Immediate First Aid (When It’s Not an Emergency)

  1. Cool (60–90 sec): Whole-body pass with IceBath™ at 1:10 sponge or RTU spray. Air dry—no rinse.
  2. Target: CryoSpray® on hot tendons and surrounding muscles; let dry fully.
  3. Support: Thin, even coat of Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Gel. Use clean, dry standing wraps if that’s your program.
Cold vs. Liniment Guide Swelling Causes

Keep products out of eyes and open/deep wounds. Allow each step to dry before the next.

Red Flags — Call Your Vet Now

  • Non-weight-bearing or rapidly worsening lameness
  • Hot, painful swelling with fever (≥101.5°F)
  • Deep cuts or punctures near a joint or tendon sheath
  • Swelling that climbs the limb quickly
  • Suspected tendon rupture (dropped fetlock) or severe “bow”

Your vet may recommend exam + ultrasound, controlled rest, and a phased rehab plan.

Healing & Rehab — The Big Picture (With Your Vet)

Phase Typical Focus Rider Actions
Acute (0–72 hrs) Reduce heat & swelling Stable quietly; cool 2–4×/day (IceBath™ → CryoSpray®); thin DiO Gel; clean standing wraps if directed
Subacute (~3–21 days) Controlled circulation without overload Hand-walk only as cleared; maintain cool→target→support routine; re-check with your vet
Remodeling (weeks–months) Gradual loading per ultrasound Vet-guided walk sets → short trot sets → progress slowly; monitor heat/swelling daily

Timeframes vary by horse and the structure involved (SDFT, DDFT, check ligament, etc.). Follow your vet and ultrasound milestones.

Sample Return-to-Work Ladder (Vet-Approved Pace Only)

Weeks* Work Care (After Each Session)
1–2 Hand-walk 10–20 min IceBath™ → CryoSpray® → thin DiO Gel; wraps if directed
3–4 Under-saddle walk 15–25 min Same sequence; monitor for any heat/swelling
5–6 Introduce 2–3 × 1-min trot sets (straight lines) Extend cooling; keep turns wide and footing sensible
7–8 Build trot sets gradually; short easy canter only if cleared Stay strict on post-work sequence; log daily

*Example only. Progression depends on veterinary rechecks and ultrasound findings. If heat, pain, or swelling returns, back up a level and call your vet.

Wrapping & Support — Do It Right

  • Clean & dry: legs and materials before wrapping.
  • Thin layers win: apply a light coat of DiO Gel under wraps; avoid goopy build-up.
  • Even tension: mid-cannon down and back up; no wrinkles or “roping.”
  • Check at change: wraps off/on at least every 12 hours; legs should trend cooler and flatter.
Cool first. Let dry. Then coat. Then wrap (if using).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping cooling or wrapping over a hot, damp leg
  • Applying products too thick (traps heat; fouls wraps)
  • Returning to turns, circles, or deep footing too soon
  • Ignoring small day-to-day changes in heat or fill
Shop IceBath™ Shop CryoSpray® Shop DiO 16oz Gel

FAQ

How do I tell tendon vs. ligament?
Both can swell and hurt. Tendons run down the back of the cannon (“bow” when injured). Suspensory ligament issues often sit higher/inside with different palpation pain. The only way to be sure is a veterinary exam and imaging.
Can I ride a horse with a suspected tendon injury?
No riding until your vet clears it. Use controlled hand-walking only as directed. Loading too soon risks long-term damage.
Cold hosing or IceBath™—which first?
Use what you have. IceBath™ gives a fast no-rinse whole-body cool; cold hosing targets a single area. Many barns do IceBath™, then CryoSpray® on hot spots.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes. It’s wrap-friendly. Apply a thin, even layer on clean, dry legs and use clean, dry wraps. Check legs at each change.
How long does a tendon injury take to heal?
Weeks to months depending on severity, location, and your program’s discipline. Progress by vet rechecks and ultrasound, not by the calendar alone.
What if swelling returns when I add trot?
Back up a level (reduce work), restart strict cooling, and contact your vet. Small setbacks handled early prevent big ones.

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