Anyone have experience with tendon injuries?

Question

I have a 14 year old OTTB mare. She had a tendon injury racing when she was 2 or so - I did not own her then so I am not sure of the details. When I got her, she was long in the toe and had VERY contracted heels. Needless to say, she was not sound. I have had her now 11 months. Working with my farrier, we have gotten her sound. My question is this - what experience have any of you had with tendon injuries and the horse's ride-ability? I am thinking of starting her undersaddle and was wondering if anyone hade any advice/recomendations/etc. My vet is coming out next Wednesday to check her out also.

Answer 1

My mare had a bowed tendon before I got her.  Luckily I think they gave it a lot of time to heal because I haven't had problems with her.

Just to be on the safe side I am very picky about my farrier (which I should be anyway, I suppose), and I always ride her with SMBs, just for some extra support.

Since the injury was a long time ago, there isn't much you can do about whether she had enough time to heal.  If she didn't, it might always bother her a little, and there isn't much you can do about that except not push her too hard and give that leg some extra support.

Answer 2

I had a OTT Trotter.  He'd bowed both fronts, been pin fired  a few times before I got him at 9years old.   He went fine undersaddle, doing trails, light jumping and some judged pleasure rides ( 4-5 mph speed)

Every now and then I saw a sore step when he got older, ( by older I mean 25)  and he wore splint boot when it happened.  Usually only lasted a day or so.

He was sound until his death at 28.