🐴 Initial Treatment of Tendon Injuries in Horses – 2025 Vet Care Guide

Key Takeaway: At the first sign of a tendon injury—heat, swelling, or pain—immediately stop work, ice the leg, wrap it correctly, and promptly contact your veterinarian for ultrasound assessment and a tailored rehabilitation plan.

1. Recognize Early Signs 👀

• Warmth, swelling, or pain along the tendon—especially the superficial digital flexor tendon—is often the first indication.
• Heat or discomfort over the deep digital flexor tendon may occur within the hoof capsule.
• A sudden, unexplained drop in performance or a limp warrants caution.

2. Immediate On-Farm Actions

• Stop Work: Dismount the horse, walk them calmly to a clean stall or safe area.
• Cold Therapy: Ice the affected area thoroughly for the first 48 hours—this helps control swelling, inflammation, and pain.
• Cautious Anti-Inflammatories: Provide NSAIDs only after consulting your veterinarian.
• Supportive Bandaging: Use a proper wrap with full-thickness cotton padding to avoid excessive pressure.

3. Veterinary Assessment & Imaging

• An ultrasound within the first few days is essential to:
• Confirm the location and severity of injury.
• Guide rehabilitation strategy and track healing progress.
• Ultrasound’s golden window is within the first 48–72 hours post-injury.

4. Initial Rehabilitation Timeline

• 0–2 days: Rest, ice, and wrap.
• 2–60 days: Start tissue repair—exercise is gradually reintroduced under vet guidance (e.g., hand-walking, treadmill).
• Periodic ultrasound checks to ensure healing and adjust activity levels.

5. Long-Term Strategies: Repair → Remodel → Return

• After ~60 days, focus shifts to controlled exercise, slow progression, and strength conditioning.
• Cyclic rest-exercise periods help minimize reinjury risk—critical since re-injury rates can reach 82% in superficial digital flexor tendon cases.

2025 Expert Tips

• Early ultrasound is a game-changer—don’t delay.
• Consistency in wrapping technique is just as critical as cold therapy.
• Veterinarian-guided protocols—timing, dosages, and activity—are essential for optimized healing outcomes.

Summary Snapshot

📌 Remember: In tendon injuries, time is tissue. Early, veterinary-guided care paired with structured rehabilitation greatly improves chances of performance-level recovery.