Herbal Remedies for a Horse Tendon Injury

Tendon injuries are a leading cause of lameness in horses. The long term repercussions of a tendon injury can affect a horse's soundness for years after the original injury.



Tendon injuries can be treated in a variety of ways, and anyone looking to treat their horse's tendon injury with herbal remedies or supplements has countless options to choose from. Though herbal supplements are not always scientifically or medically proven to work, some people claim to have had great success treating equine tendon injuries with herbal treatments and products

  1. Smart Tendon

    • Smart Tendon is a supplement made to target tendons and ligaments. Its active ingredients include bioavailable silica, which product descriptions describe as "a trace mineral that is essential to healthy, resilient connective tissue" and hydrolyzed collagen, which is one of the primary proteins found in tendons and ligaments. Smart Tendon also contains MSM, which research has repeatedly shown protects tissues against exercise related stress. Smart Tendon also includes vitamin C and grape seed extract.

    Recovery EQ

    • Recovery EQ is a supplement created by Biomedica Labs. It was designed to improve tissue circulation, as well as reduce recovery time and increase healing. Recovery EQ is also intended to halt tissue damage. Recovery EQ's primary ingredient is nutricol, which is "a proprietary blending of plant nutrients known as polyphenols." Polyphenols are reportedly the "same substances that have made green tea and red grapes the subject of much scientific study in recent years."

      According to the Biomedica Labs, "nutricol decreases trauma, from chronic lameness, surgery, injury and over-training, by increasing the cell's resistance to damage" and "improving its ability to repair damage."

    SmartFlex Repair

    • SmartFlex Repair is a combination of "Smart" brand supplements, including Smart Tendon. SmartFlex Repair contains glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, MSM, vitamin C, bioavailable silica, hydrolyzed collagen and grape seed extract. SmartFlex Repair was designed specifically for performance horses and "to support normal recovery in injured horses."

    Devil's Claw Plus

    • Devil's Claw is repeatedly touted as a useful herbal supplement because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Devil's Claw Plus is a supplement containing devil's claw extract, yucca, bosewellia extract and grape seed extract. Devil's Claw Plus was chosen as a top pick supplement by Horse Journal but shouldn't be given to pregnant mares.

    BGL Herbal Liniment

    • BGL Herbal Liniment is a rub intended to relieve pain, increase circulation and loosen stiff muscles and joints. BGL contains capsaicin, emu oil, arnica, manuka and lavender.

    Warnings

    • No herbal supplement, or any kind of product intended for medical use, should ever be given without veterinarian approval.

      Supplements can prove dangerous, or even fatal, if given improperly.