Sprain of the Flexor (Back) Tendons
A common issue affecting horses is sprain of the flexor tendons, which can result from various causes, such as an accidental twist or jumping impact. Proper treatment and rest are essential to ensuring a successful recovery.
Recognizing the Symptoms
All horses are susceptible to these sprains, making it important to identify the early signs. Initial indicators can include:
- Frequent resting of the affected leg
- Stepping short while moving
Eventually, swelling around the tendons may develop, emphasizing the need for timely treatment.
Treatment and Rest
Once a sprain of the flexor tendons has been identified, it’s vital to pursue appropriate treatment. Generally, a veterinarian will recommend the best course of action to relieve the horse’s discomfort and promote recovery.
After the initial treatment, it is crucial to allow the horse an extended rest period to heal fully. Allowing the horse to graze and move around at a leisurely pace in a pasture setting can provide both physical and mental relaxation during the recovery process. This break ensures that the horse can gradually rebuild strength and regain full function of the tendons while minimizing the risk of future sprains or related complications.
Breakdown
‘Breakdown’ is a term used in equine health to refer to various condition types, typically involving some form of sprain or fracture that can cause the fetlock to droop, at times even touching the ground. This condition often affects fast-paced horses and can significantly impact their performance and career.
Common in Speedy Horses
Speed horses, such as racehorses or those used in hunting field activities, are particularly vulnerable to breakdown occurrences. Such an occurrence can be career-ending as it can dramatically impact the horse’s capacity to maintain the high-speed performance expected in these roles.
Potential for Recovery
While severe cases can lead to permanent damage, horses who’ve suffered a less severe breakdown have a chance to recover over time. However, even in these instances, the horse is typically limited to slow-paced activities post-recovery, signaling a shift in their lifestyle.
Professional Treatment Is Key
Dealing with a breakdown requires professional, in-depth treatment. During this process, a few preliminary measures can be taken to ease the horse’s discomfort and prevent additional harm:
- Packing the hollow of the heel with soft material: This offers support to the affected area and can be held in place with a bandage.
- Applying cold water: To help tame any inflammation around the fracture or sprain.
Importance of Rest
Even after the noticeable symptoms have eased and the horse seems to have bounced back, a lengthy rest period is essential. This part of recovery should ideally be at grass, allowing the horse to roam and graze at ease. This downtime enables the horse to heal naturally and gradually return to everyday activity.
Understanding Speedy Cutting
Speedy Cutting is a condition resembling Brushing, with the key difference being the location of the injury, frequently occurring higher on the leg or the inside of the knee. Identifying its causes and pursuing suitable treatment methods are essential for successful recovery.
Causes of Speedy Cutting
Causes of Speedy Cutting are the same as those for Brushing, which typically result from:
- Imbalanced or improper gait
- Fatigue in the horse
- Uneven or poorly fitting footwear
- Congenital conformation weaknesses
Pinpointing the underlying cause is necessary to design an appropriate treatment plan and prevent recurring injuries.
Treatment Options
Addressing Speedy Cutting also follows similar methods as treating Brushing. Some common treatment approaches include:
- Adjusting the horse’s footwear or trimming hooves to improve balance and correct gait
- Working with an equine professional to address training or gait issues
- Allowing the horse time to rest and recover if fatigue is the primary cause
- Employing protective gear, such as boots or bandages, to shield the legs from injury
Remember to consult a veterinarian or equine professional to determine the most effective course of action based on the specific cause and severity of the condition.
A Closer Look at Splints
Splints, in the context of equine health, refer to bony exostosis or additional bone growth which connects the splint bone to the cannon. They can result from periosteum inflammation, caused by either direct injury or shock, and are typically found in younger horses due to overwork on hard terrain.
Commonality in Young Horses and Location
Young, active horses are more susceptible to developing splints, primarily due to excessive work on hard ground. In most cases, the enlargement from the splint is visible on the inner side of the foreleg.
It can be located:
- Directly under the knee (which might interfere with the knee joint)
- Anywhere between the knee area and the end of the splint bone
Though less common, the splint can form on the outer side of the foreleg, or even on a hind leg.
Detection and Symptoms
During the initial stages, the growth of a splint can cause lameness in the affected horse. This issue usually resolves once the splint bone and the cannon bone have fully fused. In many horses above five or six years old, these splints no longer cause discomfort and are often overlooked as harmless.
In instances where the splint is not visible or palpable, it can be identified by the extreme sensitivity of the affected region. Lameness due to a splint is most noticeable when the horse is trotting on hard ground.
Necessary Care and Treatment
While the splint is actively growing, the horse must rest. During this period, it can be beneficial to administer anti-inflammatory medications topically. These medications, once absorbed, can help minimize the inflammatory response.
As the condition progresses to later stages, the application of a mildly irritant lotion or paste, often referred to as a ‘blister,’ might aid in reducing the swelling around the splint.
Nevertheless, one must keep in mind the possibility of a splint bone fracture, which necessitates prompt and expert veterinary attention.
Windfalls
Windfalls, in veterinary terms, are small, soft swellings often seen around the fetlocks in a horse’s forelegs. They can also appear in the hind limbs. These swellings were historically thought to contain air but are in fact due to an accumulation of joint or tendon fluid.
Location and Cause of Windfalls
A typical location for a windfall is the back of the fetlock, either side of the flexor tendons, known as a tendinous windgall. These swellings are common after strenuous activities, especially those performed on hard ground.
Despite their intimidating appearance, tendinous windgalls usually don’t lead to lameness, but they can become a permanent mark if not managed properly. Early interventions, like applying a supportive bandage and giving the horse ample rest, can help to prevent this from happening.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
Another variant of windgalls, called articular windgalls, pops up on either side of the leg, just behind the cannon bone. This type of swelling signifies an inflammation of the fetlock joint, primarily caused by joint strain or arthritis.
Unlike the tendinous form, articular windgalls often come with lameness, suggesting a severe issue. Therefore, should you notice such a swelling, consulting with a veterinarian becomes necessary. Remember, an articular windgall is considerably more serious than its tendinous counterpart and should be treated promptly.
Broken Knees
Broken knees in horses are quite common and are typically a result of falls. They can range from serious conditions – like fractures of the bones – to lighter injuries such as bruises and open wounds. In severe cases, the incident may penetrate a tendon sheath or the knee joint itself, mandating the need for expert examination.
Importance of Expert Examination
Due to the potential severity of injuries associated with broken knees, it is always recommended to seek expert veterinary advice if a horse falls and injures its knees. There is a potential risk that the fall might have affected a tendon sheath or the knee joint itself, and these injuries require professional medical attention.
Essential Post-Injury Care
Absolute cleanliness must be maintained following a knee injury to prevent infection. To facilitate easier cleansing and make sure every nook and cranny is reached, the horse’s leg should be bent during this process. Use of antiseptic dressings is highly recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
Inflammation Management and Wound Dressing
To manage inflammation and soothe the injury, cold water can be applied to the affected area. After cleaning, the wound should be bandaged to keep it protected and clean. This bandage will need to be redressed every once in a while, a process that is typically required for a period of one to two weeks following the initial injury.
Antibiotics for Infection Control
In cases where there’s a high risk of infection or if an infection has set in, antibiotics might be prescribed by a veterinary professional. The use of antibiotics will aid in controlling the infection, ensuring a safer and quicker recovery for the horse.
Hygroma of the Knee
Hygroma of the knee in horses is a condition characterized by a large swelling over the knee; usually precipitated by a fall or, more commonly, after striking a jump. The swelling is typically characterized as soft and fluid-filled, usually causing no pain and does not lead to lameness. This knee swelling can be attributed to an overaccumulation of fluid in a tendon sheath following an injury, or by a ruptured large blood vessel passing across the knee.
Identifying a Hygroma
A hygroma manifests itself as a large, soft swelling over the knee of the horse. Despite looking troublesome, it is usually painless and does not cause lameness in the horse. This differentiates a hygroma from more debilitating knee issues that may cause similar swellings.
Causes and Prevention Measures
The swelling could result from either an injured tendon sheath filling with fluid or a rupture of a large blood vessel that runs across the knee. Often the result of a fall or a traumatic hit to a jump, prevention pivots on ensuring the horse is treated gently and carefully during activities that carry a potential risk.
Swelling Management
Basic home care for small swellings includes cold-hosing, applying ice packs, and bandaging the affected area – these techniques can help reduce the swelling to some degree. For larger swellings, however, professional intervention might need to be sought. In these circumstances, it might be necessary to surgically open and drain the swelling.
The Risk of Re-Injury
Re-injury is a significant concern with hygroma since it can exacerbate the condition significantly. For this reason, adequate rest and abstaining from activities like jumping that stress the knee are necessary during the recovery period. Providing plenty of comfortable bedding is also suggested to further reduce the strain on the horse’s knee and facilitate recovery.
Capped Elbow
Capped elbow, portrayed by swelling, is most commonly caused by prolonged contact with stiff surfaces. It could be due to a bare patch of flooring in the horse’s stable, or even the horse’s own shoe while it’s lying down. The swelling can often be treated by applying hot or cold fomentations twice a day, and precautions against a relapse are crucial. If thin bedding isn’t the culprit, it’s worth examining if the shoeing is at fault, especially if the shoe’s heels are excessively long. An effective preventive measure is the use of an “elbow protector” or “sausage boot”; a semi-circular, bolster-like pad that can be purchased from a saddler or crafted from materials at hand. It fits neatly around the pastern.
Causes of Capped Elbow
When it comes to the primary causes of a capped elbow, long-term contact with hard surfaces is generally the main culprit. The situation can be as simple as a horse repeatedly lying down on a bare spot in the stable floor or accidentally pressing the elbow into the shoe while taking rest.
Treating the Swelling
Treating the swelling caused by capped elbow involves the application of hot or cold fomentations, applied twice daily. The temperature treatment can be adjusted based on the horse’s comfort and the severity of the swelling. Remember always, however, that treatment should be part of a comprehensive recovery plan that not only addresses the immediate symptoms but also takes steps to prevent a recurrence.
Looking to Shoeing and Bedding
Insufficient bedding or poor shoeing practices can sometimes be the cause of a capped elbow. If the bedding isn’t too scant, perhaps it’s worthwhile checking if the shoe’s heels are excessively long. Long heels may increase the chances of the shoe coming into contact with the elbow, especially when the horse lies down.
The Role of an Elbow Protector
An elbow protector, also referred to as a ‘sausage boot,’ can be an effective preventive tool against the capped elbow. This device is a semi-circular bolster-like pad that fits around the pastern, and its purpose is to provide a protective cushion that prevents the hoof or shoe from making direct contact with the elbow.
Elbow Lameness
Elbow lameness in horses can arise from various causes, such as sprains, fractures, or arthritis, and is typically characterized by the horse standing with a bent leg. To effectively address this issue, it is crucial to identify and treat the specific cause of the lameness.
Identifying the Cause of Lameness
Elbow lameness can manifest in different ways depending on the underlying cause. Understanding the primary cause, whether it be a sprain, fracture, or arthritis, is vital for providing proper care and treatment for the horse.
Treating Sprains
When a horse has a sprained elbow, it is crucial to ensure adequate rest and allow the injury to heal. Anti-inflammatory medications and cold therapy can help with pain and swelling, and it is also essential to avoid putting undue stress on the affected joint during the healing process.
Addressing Fractures and Breaks
In the case of a fracture, professional veterinary care is vital. The nature and location of the break will determine the appropriate treatment, which may include immobilization, minimally invasive surgery, or more extensive surgical procedures.
Managing Arthritis-Related Lameness
For lameness resulting from arthritis, a long-term management plan may be required. This includes addressing joint inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications, modifying the horse’s environment, and incorporating an appropriate exercise regime. An on-going care plan can help optimize a horse’s comfort and mobility in cases of arthritis-related elbow lameness.
Fractures
In the equine forearm, the main bone is the Radius, followed by a smaller one, the Ulna, which can be felt as a slight projection at the elbow. If either one fractures, the other can serve as a natural splint, albeit the injury is still critical. The signs of a fracture are usually visible either at the front or the back of the arm, depending on which bone is affected. Applying splints appropriately, extending below the knee to halt its movement, is an essential part of the treatment process.
Understanding the Anatomy
The equine forearm comprises two primary bones: the Radius and the Ulna. The Radius is the more prominent bone, while the Ulna, though smaller, can easily be identified as a protrusion at the elbow. When considering elbow lameness or fractures, understanding this basic anatomy helps considerably.
Identifying and Assessing a Fracture
If either of the two bones fractures, the injury is severe. Interestingly, in such a situation, when one bone breaks, the other can function as a natural splint and offer some support. The classic signs of a fracture can typically be seen at either the front or back of the arm, based on which bone is damaged.
The Importance of Proper Splinting
Splinting plays a pivotal role in initial fracture management. When splints are applied, it is crucial to ensure they continue below the knee. This precaution is to restrict the movement of the knee and provide a secure environment for the fractured bone, preventing further damage or discomfort.
Shoulder Lameness
Shoulder lameness in horses can be induced by various factors such as an injury, sprain, or arthritis. The symptoms often include stiffness, toe dragging, and an outward movement of the leg. It’s imperative to interpret these signs in line with known facts and always seek professional advice. Treatment for injuries and sprains usually involves cold water therapy and an extended period of rest.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Shoulder Lameness
The primary symptoms of shoulder lameness are rather distinctive. They usually appear as stiffness in the horse’s movements, a tendency to drag the toe, and an unusual outward movement of the leg. If you notice any of these signs, it’s vital to take note of their severity and duration in order to communicate effectively with a professional.
Seeking Professional Advice
In the event of suspected shoulder lameness, it’s always best to seek professional advice. Horse health specialists are trained to correlate the observed symptoms with known facts about equine health and can provide accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Treating Injuries and Sprains with Cold Water and Rest
Usual treatment methods for injuries and sprains in horses involve the application of cold water to the affected area and allowing the horse a long duration of rest. Cold water treatment can help alleviate swelling and inflammation, and rest permits the horse’s body to heal naturally.
Fractures
When dealing with fractures in a horse, the Humerus, or Arm Bone, and the Scapula, or Shoulder Blade, are two critical bones to consider. These two bones together form the “Point of Shoulder.” Fractures to these bones are relatively rare. However, when they do occur, they have severe repercussions, often signaling the end of the horse’s working life and, in many instances, necessitating the need for euthanasia on humanitarian grounds.
Humerus Fractures (Arm Bone)
The humerus extends from the elbow to the scapula, giving rise to the “Point of Shoulder.” When a fracture occurs in this bone, it is typically a severe incident. Due to the significant role this bone plays in the horse’s mobility, a fracture frequently indicates the termination of the horse’s ability to perform work. Moreover, in many cases, humane considerations may lead to the decision to euthanize the horse.
Scapula Fractures (Shoulder Blade)
A fracture in the shoulder blade, or the scapula, can be identified by crepitation — a grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage. The shoulder blade area’s substantial muscle mass aids in keeping the fractured parts in position, which can be beneficial. However, the prognosis depends on the nature of the fracture. While smaller, simple fractures can often heal with adequate rest, comminuted fractures (fractures resulting in the bone breaking into multiple pieces) usually necessitate the unfortunate decision to euthanize the animal.
