Water Therapy for Bowed Tendons on Horses

Bowed tendons are a serious problem for the horse owner. Any horse that works in a performance division--be it racing, jumping, dressage or working cattle--has the potential to bow a tendon. A bowed tendon is where a horse has injured a tendon, tearing it, so the tendon fibers "shred." When the legs heals, the tendon often has a "bowed" appearance. In treating a bowed tendon, it is helpful to know about water therapy, which is one of the key ingredients for a successful recovery.

  1. Hydrotherapy

    • Hydrotherapy is the term used for water therapy that is applied to wounds or injuries on horses. The water is turned on high, and usually is sprayed through a high-powered nozzle. The pressure needs to be enough to provide a stimulating massage action, yet not so high that it causes pain. The water provides multiple therapies. The water softens the skin and tissues and helps break apart scar tissue. The pressure stimulates circulation, which helps bring all important blood to the wounded area to assist in healing. You need to apply the hydrotherapy for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes at a time, three times a day.

    Length of Treatment

    • It is important to get a professional diagnosis from a veterinarian on the severity of the injury and the estimated length of time for recovery. Bowed tendons can range in duration and complexity of treatment. In many cases, a bowed tendon requires complete rest, dedicated wrapping, hydrotherapy, medication in some cases and regular check-ups on the status of the healing. The water therapy part of treatment will often last for several months and then continue once exercise is reintroduced. A bowed tendon is one of those injuries that can cause chronic problems for the remainder of the horse's life.

    Swimming as exercise

    • Another method of water therapy is swimming. Once the horse has recovered enough from the initial bow, exercise in the water is an excellent way to bring the legs back into shape safely. The horse is led into a special pool, where handlers on either side of the head help guide it into deeper and deeper water, until the horse is swimming. All stress is taken off the bowed tendon, and the horse can work muscles and do cardio without placing undue stress on the injured leg. This is an excellent exercise therapy to use on horses recovering from bowed tendons.