Although soft tissue injuries are a common setback faced by many owners and riders, the frustration of them cannot be understated. These injuries affect the tendons and ligaments that keep horses sound and athletic. While many riders are familiar with the general concept of a "tendon injury," not all injuries are the same. The severity, cause, and recovery outlook can vary depending on whether the injury is a small lesion, a partial tear, or a complete rupture.
We'll break down the main types of soft tissue injuries, explain what causes them, and what owners can expect from recovery.
Lesions
A lesion is a small area of fiber damage within a tendon or ligament. Often, lesions start with microtears caused by repetitive strain, fatigue, or overheating within the tissue.
-
Common causes: Overstraining, lack of conditioning, poor footing, or cumulative microdamage.
-
Recovery: Horses with small lesions often respond well to rest, controlled exercise, and supportive therapies. Full recovery may take 3-6 months, depending on location and severity. Early detection is critical, if ignored, lesions can progress into larger tears.
Partial Tears
A partial tear occurs when a larger portion of tendon or ligament fibers are disrupted, but the structure is not completely severed. This type of injury is more serious and often presents with noticeable lameness or swelling.
-
Common causes: Sudden overload (e.g., landing awkwardly from a jump, slipping on poor footing), or progression from an untreated lesion.
-
Recovery: Partial tears require strict rest followed by a careful managed rehab program. Healing usually takes 6-12 months, and scar tissue formation is a major concern. Adjunct therapies such as PRP, stem cells, or shockwave may improve outcomes.
Complete Tears
A complete tear or rupture means the tendon or ligament is fully severed. Unfortunately, these are often devastating injuries with limited treatment options.
-
Common causes: Traumatic accidents, extreme overloading during high-speed work, or pre-existing degeneration that finally gives way.
-
Recovery: Prognosis is guarded to poor. In some causes, surgery may help restore function, but many horses will not return to full athletic careers. Instead, they may transition into lower-level riding or retirement. Recovery, if possible, can take a year or more.
Strains and Overstretching
Not all soft tissue injuries involve fiber rupture. Sometimes tendons and ligaments are simply overstretched, leading to inflammation and microscopic fiber damage.
-
Common causes: Sudden slips, fatigue, or repetitive strain on weakened tissues.
-
Recovery: With early intervention, strains may resolve in weeks to a few months. However, repeated strains increase the risk of developing lesions or tears later on.
Why Healing Is So Difficult
Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, which means they receive fewer nutrients and less oxygen than muscles do. As a result, healing is slow and incomplete, often leading to scar tissue formation instead of strong, elastic collage. Scar tissue is weaker and more prone to re-injury, which is why many horses never fully return to their pre-injury performance level.
Support Healing From the Inside Out
This is where nutritional support plays an important role. Supplements like Tendonall, formulated with high-dose Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin E, and MCT oil, provide essential nutrients that support collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and improve tissue resilience. By supplying the body with the building blocks it needs, Tendonall can help reduce the risk of scar tissue and improve long-term outcomes
Where To Go From Here
Not all soft tissue injuries are the same. From small lesions to catastrophic ruptures, the type of injury dictates both the treatment approach and the long-term prognosis. With early diagnosis, proper rehab, and the right nutritional support, horses with tendon and ligament injuries have a much better chance of returning to work.
Different Types of Soft Tissue Injuries in Horses
Although soft tissue injuries are a common setback faced by many owners and riders, the frustration of them cannot be understated. These injuries affect the tendons and ligaments that keep horses sound and athletic. While many riders are familiar with the general concept of a "tendon injury," not all injuries are the same. The severity, cause, and recovery outlook can vary depending on whether the injury is a small lesion, a partial tear, or a complete rupture.
We'll break down the main types of soft tissue injuries, explain what causes them, and what owners can expect from recovery.
Lesions
A lesion is a small area of fiber damage within a tendon or ligament. Often, lesions start with microtears caused by repetitive strain, fatigue, or overheating within the tissue.
Partial Tears
A partial tear occurs when a larger portion of tendon or ligament fibers are disrupted, but the structure is not completely severed. This type of injury is more serious and often presents with noticeable lameness or swelling.
Complete Tears
A complete tear or rupture means the tendon or ligament is fully severed. Unfortunately, these are often devastating injuries with limited treatment options.
Strains and Overstretching
Not all soft tissue injuries involve fiber rupture. Sometimes tendons and ligaments are simply overstretched, leading to inflammation and microscopic fiber damage.
Why Healing Is So Difficult
Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, which means they receive fewer nutrients and less oxygen than muscles do. As a result, healing is slow and incomplete, often leading to scar tissue formation instead of strong, elastic collage. Scar tissue is weaker and more prone to re-injury, which is why many horses never fully return to their pre-injury performance level.
Support Healing From the Inside Out
This is where nutritional support plays an important role. Supplements like Tendonall, formulated with high-dose Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin E, and MCT oil, provide essential nutrients that support collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and improve tissue resilience. By supplying the body with the building blocks it needs, Tendonall can help reduce the risk of scar tissue and improve long-term outcomes
Where To Go From Here
Not all soft tissue injuries are the same. From small lesions to catastrophic ruptures, the type of injury dictates both the treatment approach and the long-term prognosis. With early diagnosis, proper rehab, and the right nutritional support, horses with tendon and ligament injuries have a much better chance of returning to work.