Tendon

[Trixi]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some help. When I checked the right front leg of my mare (15year old friesian), its almost like a slight bow in the middle.We have no idea how she hurt herself. She is not a mare that runs around in actual fact she is like a old lady who wants to do nothing! But she is lame and has been standing for 3 weeks the tendon is still slightly swollen. Any advice would be greatly appreciated in what I can do to help her! :)

[BeachRiding]

If it is what i think it is, maybe Tendonitis? (bowed tendon) My horse has this, and if not treated RIGHT away, there will forever be windpuffs and swelling. Try looking it up on google.

[skye06]

With tendons I'd always get a vet if there is no change after a few days, especially if there is lameness. Bowed tendons can be repaired takes time. Usually it will always be noted on a vet cert.

[LMS]

A bow can happen anywhere on the tendon (high, mid, low). Even though you didn't see her run around to hurt herself anything can cause it, such as by being in mud. I had a mare that had a history of bows (I was not told) and she bowed both tendons after a huge snowfall. The deep snow made it difficult for her.

Then a year later, she bowed again while on stall rest.

The best treatment is to apply cold to the affected area at least 2X a day for a few days up to a week along with putting on stable bandages with thick fluffy pads for support in between treaments.

You can either hose it down or use crushed ice in baggies & bandage it up.

I'd get the vet out, he may still recommend cold treatment and stable bandages. Depending on how bad it is; he may also take a fluid sample to make sure the sheath is not affected.

Early treatment helps in better recovery.

Hope your mare heals well.