If you’ve ever dealt with a tendon injury in a horse, you will know how much we all want to avoid them. They can mean months of box rest, rehabilitation, vet visits, disappointments, and crossed fingers. In the worst cases, they can be career-ending, or worse, for our beloved horses. 

Frustratingly, there is no way to completely prevent a tendon injury from occurring. You could do all the right things and you horse may still pick up an injury, but that’s the gamble when it comes to horses. Jumping horses are the most susceptible to tendon injuries due to the strenuous nature of their job, placing tendons under lots of pressure.

Whilst there is no fool proof answer, there are plenty of things we can do to ensure we are minimising the risks as much as possible. Sensibly managing your horse to avoid unnecessary stress on the tendons or preventing repetitive strain from overuse is the number one way to reduce the risk of a tendon injury. 

Here are a few things to keep at the forefront of your management plan…

Don’t Overdo It 

It sounds simple but jumping too regularly or repeatedly jumping big fences puts a huge amount of pressure on the delicate tendon and ligament structures in your horse’s legs. The forces on impact when a horse lands after a big jump can reach up to 2.5 times the horse’s body weight, which is a huge amount of force for the soft tissues to withstand regularly. 

We aren’t suggesting cutting out jumping altogether, you can still make just as much progress in training by jumping smaller fences. Small jumps where you horse must think about their body control is just as beneficial as jumping big jumps, as well as conditioning and improving rideability between fences. With smaller jumps, you have more opportunity to build some creative and helpful jumping exercises stringing a few jumps together. If you need some jumping exercise inspiration using small fences at home- then click here to read our latest jumping and pole work blog!

Alongside keeping the fences smaller, mix up your training routine so your horse gets plenty of variety. Flatwork will help to build strength and fitness, reducing the risk of injury through tiring and losing form. Hacking out on different terrains gives your horse’s legs a break from frequently working on soft surfaces, as well as keeping them fresh and engaged when they are in the arena.

A short, sweet session ending on a high note is far more beneficial for your horse’s development than a lengthy session fighting to get results and making the jumps bigger and bigger. 

Build Up Gradually

Horses’ tendons and ligaments need time to adapt to new pressures and workloads. Sudden changes in workload are a recipe for disaster so build up gradually and make sure you’re focusing on getting them strong and fit again before you increase anything. 

If you horse has had any time off, whether it is for an injury or just a little holiday, always take time and care to build them back up again before rushing into anything. It can be tempting to get going quickly, especially if you have goals or plans right around the corner but taking extra care to get your horse back to full strength first will be best way to avoid time off before you’ve even got going again. 

Check the Ground Conditions

The surface you’re jumping on plays a huge part in maintaining your horse’s legs. Even when jumping in an arena, you still need to be vigilant about the condition of the surface before you get started. 

Hard ground offers less shock absorption when landing and can lead to concussive injuries, particularly for the structures within a horse’s hooves. Soft or deep ground can lead to hyperflexion resulting in strains or injuries to the tendons and ligaments. The deeper or more holding the ground, the greater the risk of a strain injury on take-off increases as well as making the jump itself much harder on the horse’s body. Any uneven ground can risk a slip or an awkward step, all of which can result in a nasty injury!

Before you embark on a jumping session, survey the ground conditions first to make sure they’re fit for what you’re going to be doing. Ensure all your take-off and landing spots are consistent and level, and that the surface isn’t too hard, deep, or loose.

Warm Up and Cool Down 

The warm-up and cool-down periods of your jumping session are integral to maintaining healthy tendons. A good warm-up gives your horse’s body time to prepare for work, allowing the muscles and soft tissues to loosen up and stretch before they’re put through their paces. An appropriate cool-down ensures their heart rate returns to resting and prevents them from cramping up.

You don’t need to do anything fancy, just spend enough time walking, trotting, and cantering around progressively to loosen them up and get them listening. This is also a good time to assess how they’re feeling. You’ll know if something isn’t quite right and that is a good indicator to hop off and leave the jumping for the day. Pushing through it is more likely to worsen an injury grumbling under the surface, and you might risk turning something minor into something more serious!

Do The Basics

Getting into the habit of checking your horse’s legs every day, before and after exercise, will help you get a feel for their ‘baseline’ leg structure. Running a hand down their legs is a great way to feel if there is anything amiss. Heat, swelling, or tenderness to the touch is often a sign that something isn’t quite right, and an investigation might be necessary. Catching a problem early gives your horse the best chance at recovery, with support from your vet and other professionals who can step in and find out what is wrong.

It's not just the legs that need attention, to safely maintain strong and healthy tendons you need to look at the big picture. Hoof care is just as important as leg care, the wrong balance or poorly looked-after feet can cause unnecessary strain on tendons and ligaments right up the leg! Appropriate nutrition and a well-fitting saddle are other, often overlooked, factors contributing to tendon care. A good diet will help to support strong soft tissues with the right nutrients, and a well-fitting saddle supports their movement correctly, allowing them to build muscle and strength. 

Maintain Your Equipment

The type of equipment you’re using also plays a crucial role in the maintenance of your horse’s legs. Damaged or faulty equipment can lead to a nasty injury in the event of a mishap, and any knocks or falls can be worsened by equipment not structurally sound. 

At PolyJumps, the plastics we use to create our jumps, blocks, and poles are created to be durable, practical, and suitable for regular use. Safe and reliable equipment creates space for you to focus on riding safely and supporting your horse, without worrying about the suitability of your jumping equipment. 

The long story short is that tendon injuries are not always preventable, sometimes they happen even when you do everything right. But by building your horse’s workload up gradually, being smart about your jumping schedule, and paying attention to surfaces, legs, and equipment, you can help reduce any unnecessary risks. 

Here at PolyJumps, we are all about supporting riders to create practical and enjoyable schooling set-ups at home. With the right training plan and equipment you can rely on, you can focus on what really matters- keeping your horse happy, confident, and ready to jump another day.