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  Discussion on Not Really a "Lameness"......
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Member:
Aannk

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 - 2:38 pm:

Dr. O.,
I have written before (several times ;) ) about my gelding and how he broke his cannon as a three year old. Well, the bone healed, and the vets say the tendon is fine (based on lameness exams, ultrasounds, and flex tests). However, I have noticed since then that he does not quite extend that leg out as much at a trot as the other leg. I don't think it is painful, and he does not head bob. However, is it possible the tendon didn't grow as long as the other leg as this was a developmental period? He just finished growing this year as a late 8 year old (just muscle, I am sure, but he gained 1/2 inch in 6 months). I am wondering if there is any way I can stretch the tendon or tendons in that leg in a careful way. If there is any chance at ALL (what I mean is, something like a laser that has never harmed a horse versus something like injecting something into the tendon that could cause an infection) that I will harm him, I don't want to do it. I was thinking of stretching exercises or putting weights on his leg or rubbing something on it or something similar.
Thanks :-)
Alicia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 7:14 am:

I am afraid any manual stretching that you do will be far less tension than the horse puts on it himself as he moves so don't think it would be of benefit. If the flexor tendon was short he would stand with upright pasterns of a little over at the knee: do you see such?
DrO
Member:
Frances

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 8:35 am:

DrO, if a horse is over at the knee, does it always signify a contracted tendon, and never an arthritic knee? (I suppose the arthritic knee could be the cause of the tendon contracting?)

Many thanks,
Lynn
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 9:53 am:

Over at the knee is a poor term for me to use because at least 3 different conditions can result in this. Arthritis of the knee can cause significant bony growth over the front and result in the appelation or can cause pain keeping the horse from closing the knee all the way keeping it bent forward and therefore be called over. So to answer your question, no it does not alway signify contracture. Also mild contracture does not always cause a horse to be over at the knees though many horses compensate this way to keep the pasterns from being to upright.
DrO
Member:
Aannk

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 10:09 am:

No, his legs are perfectly straight. There is no cream or any such thing that would help?
If not, it looks like it has stretched all it can. I jump him and work him 4 times a week, I will just let it be.
Thanks,
Alicia
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