Preventing Tendon Injuries in Horses
Prevent Tendon Injuries with Proper Movement
Tendon injuries are a nightmare for many horse owners, and for good reason. Recovering from a tendon injury can take a long time, leaving your horse sidelined for weeks, months, or in the worst cases, even years. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to prevent tendon injuries in your horse. One of the most important factors is… movement!
What is a Tendon?
A tendon is made of strong connective tissue and acts as a connection between bones and muscles. Tendons cannot contract like muscles and are not very elastic, which makes them vulnerable. However, connective tissue has the ability to adapt to the load it is exposed to, which is crucial during your horse’s training and growth. The body adapts to the forces exerted on it, just like muscles. Think of the agile Argentine Criollo horses that trot effortlessly over rough terrain.
Tendon tissue is continuously broken down and rebuilt depending on the demands placed on it, similar to muscles. If you train a lot, you build muscle mass. If you stop training, you lose muscle mass. But just like muscles, tendon tissue can also be damaged by overloading. Recovering from damaged tendon tissue is a long process in which new connective tissue cells are formed and transformed into new tendon tissue. Unfortunately, this new tissue will never completely match the quality of the original. It remains a weak spot, similar to a mended sock: the repaired area will be stiffer and tear more easily. Often, small, unnoticed microtears occur before a larger injury develops. Prevention is better than cure!
Treatment methods
The Role of Movement in Recovery and Prevention
Movement plays a crucial role in the recovery and strengthening of tendons. Regular, controlled movement promotes the formation of new connective tissue and improves blood circulation. Blood vessels deliver essential nutrients and remove waste products, but tendons have poor blood supply compared to muscles. Movement stimulates circulation, significantly accelerating the healing process.
Another way movement strengthens tendons is by influencing the alignment and strength of collagen in the tendon tissue. Through targeted exercises, such as varying speeds or training on different surfaces, collagen is built in the right direction. This increases tendon strength and helps prevent injuries. Collagen in tendons forms in the direction of the forces exerted on the tissue, as it must withstand the stresses of movement, such as pulling and stretching in various directions.
When a tendon is loaded, for example during training or recovery from an injury, collagen fibers align themselves in the direction of these forces. This process, known as "collagen orientation," ensures that the new collagen is stronger and better able to withstand the specific stresses the tendon will face. In rest or absence of loading, collagen may develop in a more random structure, but once movement and pressure are applied, the fibers reorganize for optimal function. This is why controlled movements and exercises during tendon injury recovery are essential to properly align collagen fibers and make tendons stronger and more resilient.
It’s essential to provide your horse with daily movement appropriate to its training level. Keeping a horse in the stable for five days and then training intensively for two days is asking for trouble. Ensure variation in exercises, training duration, and the surface on which your horse is trained. Start slowly and gradually build up the training program. Do not force your horse into long or heavy training sessions if it is not accustomed to them. If possible, let your horse spend several hours in the pasture daily, where it can move naturally and strengthen its tendons gently.
In addition to traditional exercises, proprioception exercises can help strengthen your horse’s tendons. Proprioception is your horse’s ability to sense and adjust its body and movements. This improves muscle stability and helps tendons function better, reducing the risk of injury. Examples of proprioception exercises include:
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Elastic Surfaces: Training on surfaces such as rubber mats or soft grass stimulates balance and posture.
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Ground Poles: Encourage your horse to step over poles to improve coordination and sensitivity.
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Balance Balls: Use balls to train balance and muscle control.
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Stepping Over Raised Platforms: Stimulates body awareness and coordination.
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Ladder Exercises: Enhance precision and foot placement with ground markers or rope ladders.
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Irregular Surfaces: Training on sand, gravel, or forest paths improves balance and stability.
Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase intensity. Seek guidance from a professional if needed.
What if your horse sustains a tendon injury?
Even during recovery, controlled movement is essential to promote healing. This is one of the reasons why complete rest, such as the traditional box-rest regime, is no longer always recommended. Of course, you can’t always monitor your horse’s movements when they are out in the field. This makes professional guidance extremely important during the recovery process. In the early weeks following an injury, professional oversight can mean the difference between a speedy recovery and prolonged issues. Always follow your veterinarian's advice closely and involve an osteopath or physiotherapist to help guide the rehabilitation.
In the initial stages of recovery, it is crucial not to overburden the tendon. Both too much and too little movement can negatively affect the healing process. During recovery, new connective tissue cells form, but the new tendon tissue in this phase is fragile and of lower quality than the original tissue. Overloading can be detrimental, yet without sufficient stimulation, the new tissue may remain poorly organized, increasing the risk of re-injury.
Osteopaths and physiotherapists use techniques to stimulate blood flow to the damaged tissue. Through passive mobilizations, they can keep the tendon moving without requiring the horse's active participation. Passive mobilization ensures that joints and tendons do not become stiff, which is crucial for maintaining flexibility, full range of motion, and reducing the risk of further damage.
An osteopath can also help prevent compensatory injuries. After a tendon injury, horses often tend to avoid certain movements or types of strain, which can lead to compensatory injuries in other parts of the body. By correcting these compensatory movements and restoring the horse's balance, the risk of additional injuries is significantly reduced.
Need Professional Help?
Does your horse experience tendon injuries Contact Ellen Van Parys today for a professional assessment and guidance. Ellen is dedicated to your horse’s well-being and provides a rehabilitation plan tailored to your horse’s specific needs.
Call us at +32 (0)474 50 01 46
