This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Leg Swellings » Leg Swelling topics not covered above »
  Discussion on Advice for swollen rear flexor tendon
Author Message
New Member:
jtt3kc

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 6:04 am:

Please be gentle as I'm new to horses and posting to forums as well.

I recently noticed a 2" vertical swelling around my MFT's rear flexor tendon. He shows no sign of lameness or tenderness when palpating the area. It is not hot to the touch and when flexed for up to a minute shows no sign of pain.
He is used for pleasure trail riding and rarely asked to gait.
I had the vet out to look at him and was told that it was caused from arthritis, to ride as normal and monitor for lameness.

My questions are:

Would wrapping help support him when riding or further exacerbate the problem?

Should I be treating the swelling with something or will it subside on its own?

If caused from arthritis will supplements help?

Could asking him to 'gait' be causing the irritation?
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 7:28 am:

Hi Tracy, and welcome to horses and HA!

DrO is the expert, but I have to wonder why a swollen tendon would be diagnosed as arthritis. Arthritis is a disease of the joints, not tendons. Unless, the horse has a painful joint and is compensating and putting added stress on the tendon?

At any rate, until you get to the bottom of the problem, I would recommend cold hosing to reduce the swelling (at least 2x/day for at least 20 minutes). When in doubt, I cold hose...could help and certainly will do no harm!

How long has the horse had the problem?
New Member:
jtt3kc

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 7:54 am:

I've only had him for about 6 months. My farrier first pointed it out to me about two weeks ago. He said he had not seen anything on the last trim. He said to watch it and call the vet if the swelling got worse.
The only trauma that has happened since I’ve had him was an accident in the trailer a couple weeks prior to farrier visit where he freaked just after being tied in the trailer; he threw himself backwards and fell.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 8:49 am:

Welcome Tracy,
As Fran noted your description does not sound like arthritis. As to proper treatment, this really requires an exam. If you could post several good images we could at least place the swelling. In general I do not recommend you wrap and ride unless you have a lot of experience wrapping legs. However cold hosing and pressure bandaging at night may help the swelling go down. For more see Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Swellings / Localized Infection / Abscesses » Diagnosing and Assessing Swellings in Horses.
DrO
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 11:01 am:

I would just add that you read up on bandaging before you pressure wrap, unless you've had some experience. The main point is to not get the wrap too tight but tight enough to stay up, and to keep it smooth against the skin, especially over areas where there is bone or veins. Seems like there is a thread on HA here about wraps; I know there have been discussions on wrapping and bandaging in the past.

btw, welcome to HA. It's a great site with lots of good information and many good horse people from all "walks of life" in the horse world. Lots of knowledge here, and friendly people.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC