“My query actually regards her arthritis rather than her tendon, but thought I should fill you in on all past history”…

I have a 16 yr old mare Billie that I have owned for 9yrs. She has had a lot of tendon problems in her back left leg. She has ruptured her tendon 4 times in the past 8 years and has always done very little work when it was possible, obviously not very often. Last April she ruptured her tendon again but this time she ruptured it from hock to pastern.This part of her leg is obviously very thickened. My poor girl also started suffering from arthritis in her hocks 2 years ago. From then on, she has been on 1 Bute a day. This winter has been hard for her and her Bute was increased to 2 a day, (this is a lot as she is only 13.3 HH). She is also on herbal mobility supplements, Glucosamine and MSM.

She is currently very sore on both her back legs especially the left, she is wearing raised heel rolled toe shoes to relieve some of the pressure from her tendon, as she is now unable to put her heel down on that left foot. My query actually regards her arthritis rather than her tendon, but thought I should fill you in on all past history. 2 yrs ago Billie started walking (I know this may sound strange) but as though she was wearing a nappy. She twists both her back legs out, almost as though she is waddling. She was and is again putting the majority of her weight on her front causing her to have a sore neck. However, this was when she was nerve blocked and the arthritis diagnosed as the lameness began just below the hocks proving that this action was not connected to her tendon injuries. I was advised to bring her back into light work as long as she received  Bute. Over time she gradually brought her hocks inwards to a more normal position. Since her last tendon injury she has been off work and the hocks have gone back out. I have looked at many websites and books etc but found nothing about this type of action being connected to arthritis, could this be another problem and possible wrong diagnosis or is this normal for arthritic hocks? She comes in at night, and I sometimes leave her in her stable during the day when it is very cold. Would she be better out or am I doing the right thing? Also, if you have any additional advice I would be very grateful. Apologies for the length of my query and thank you for taking the time to read it. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

Hayleigh:

I will try to answer the question as best I can in two parts. First, the arthritis addresses bony problems only. Generally, the more a horse stands around, the worse the stiffness and arthritis pain becomes. Therefore, it is generally better to have (or be able to have) some movement. This can be either a large box stall, a stall with a (an outdoor) run, or live outside all the time with a run-in shed. Hock arthritis certainly may cause compensation of weight-carrying capacity, as you describe soreness on her front end. This may come and go, and be worse in certain types of weather or temperature changes. Bute long-term comes with potential side effects, and therefore is not recommended long-term. To help counter the ulcers it may cause, long-term anti-ulcer medication may be indicated. Have you asked your veterinarian about possible other options to control comfort (medical vs. surgical)?

As far as the soft tissue injuries are concerned, she sounds like she has either worked very hard and led to breakdown, or she has degenerative connective tissue, which is what the tendon tissue is made of. Either way, it sounds like her riding career is far over, and now it’s just a matter of keeping her comfortable. You can try leg wraps for support, sweating the leg in the case of a fresher injury, anti-inflammatories, and your joint supplements (Glucosamine and MSM). I am not familiar with herbal supplements, but keep in mind that because just because it is “all-natural” does not make it harmless. You really need to follow the guidelines of your treating veterinarian. If you are in doubt, it never hurts to seek a second opinion; if you do this, I recommend it be from a specialist (probably a surgeon). Good luck with Billie.

 

“come up looking like they are just bowed up.”…

We had 2 young, one 1.5 yrs and one about 3 years suddenly come up looking like they are just bowed up. It could be that we have had a lot of rain and they were out running and playing in it too hard but I was wondering if there were any sudden onset diseases that we needed to be worried about? We are located in northern MS and both of the mares are UTD on all vaccines and hoofs are kept trimmed. None of the other mares in the same pasture seem sick. Thanks for the advice

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

Marcy:

There are no systemic illnesses known of that would directly cause a bowed tendon. There are a few breed-specific, mostly uncommon, genetic diseases that cause connective tissue changes that predispose those regions to have problems, but generally not with tendons. The most likely cause of your bowed tendons is romping in the mud, creating excessive strain and pulling on the tendons. Especially young horses, with yet undeveloped tendons, may be weaker and more easily strained than middle-aged horses who have been in work. Be sure to rest them and follow your veterinarian’s protocol for rehabilitation. Continued turn-out and exercise in that mud will only worsen the bows. Good luck.

 

“My 10 yo German-bred mare has recently had a swollen front leg”…

 

 

My vet ultra sounded her after I insisted he did so (she was very sound, after the flexion).  The vet was amazed by the ultra sound and said that the mare should not be sound and could “break” at any time.  She is now hand walking.  The vet said the annular ligament was maybe pushing on the SDF tendon AND that the SDF was enlarged.  The vet recommended that we section the annular ligament.

* Is there an alternative course of action? (This is a show jumping mare competiting at 4’3 level).

* What are the chances of success of the procedure?

*Would the procedure reduce the swelling?

* Will there be a scare?

* Who can do this?

Dr. Jack Sales’ Answer:

 

Hi Stephanie,

The problem that your Vet discovered on the ultrasound is not uncommon and usually does require the surgical correction that you mentioned in order to relieve the pressure on the SDF tendon. The sooner it is done, the better chance that the tendon will come back to normal size (swelling will go down) and everything will go back to normal. The scar will not be apparent after the hair grows back in. It would be best to get a second opinion from a board certified equine surgeon before you agree to the procedure.

 

“I have a 4 yr old Paso fino mare that was kicked in the back of her hind leg by another horse. “…

There is a shallow cut on her back tendon and swelling on the outside of her leg with heat in it. I have been cold water hosing it and applying ice packs and I have been giving her 2 Butte tablets a day. She is putting her full weight on it and isn’t limping badly. Is there anything else I should do for her and what is the prognosis for her to become sound again?

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

Judith:

The application of Neosporin can aid in would healing (the cut).  This can be applied after soaking/icing.  If she does not heal completely, with no lameness, after 2 weeks, you should have her examined to ensure there is no tendon damage.  Also, in the meantime, strict stall rest and no riding are in order.

 

“She will not put any weight on her leg and the vet has started another round of meds”…

 

We have a 9-year-old mare that was injured while we were out of town. We do not know how she was hurt but she has several cuts on her left hind leg. When we got to her, her leg was swollen very badly. We called our vet & he came and gave her shots, antibiotics, pain meds and for a couple of days, she was doing great. She now will not put any weight on her leg and the vet has started another round of meds. He said that if she doesn’t start to put weight on the leg that he suggests we put her down. He said that the tendon is torn but it can scar over. Is there anything that you can recommend that we do? We DO NOT want to put her down she is a healthy beautiful horse. Please help

 

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

Drema:

It is hard for me to give an opinion on a wound I have not examined, but from your description it sounds as if she is terribly painful.  Possible complications that could cause complete lack of weight bearing include infected joints, completely severed tendons, or fractures–all life threatening.  The other big problem is laminitis in the opposite hind leg, which can also be life threatening.  X-rays may be helpful to determine if bony lesions, including laminitis with rotation, are present first, before pursuing further diagnostics.

 

“He tore 2 tendons in his back leg…”
I have a 2 1/2 yr old Qtr/Walking horse, he tore 2 tendons in his back leg, the vet has been here twice, he tried to sew the tendons back together, my husband made a metal brace and we change the horses bandage each week, when will we know if he will heal? How can we tell if he’s in pain? Do horses typically heal or are we wasting our time trying to make him better? He is such a good horse and we hate to have him put down, but hate to keep him pinned up and miserable. Thank you for any info.

Dr. Jack Sales’ Answer:
Regarding your Qtr/Walking horse, It is probably unlikely that the injured tendons will heal back together the way they were before, but there is a good chance that scar tissue can bridge the gap between the tendons if you keep good care of the wound and prevent infection. That is the most important thing at this time. The brace is also very helpful in keeping this area as imobile as possible in order that the tissue can bridge between the tendons. It will be a slow healing process but if you do all that your vet tells you , you do have a chance that the horse could heal and be useful in the future.