When we think of tendon injuries in horses, we often jump straight to the distal limb: the superficial digital flexor tendon, the deep digital flexor tendon, the suspensory ligament. While these structures are critical, they're only part of the equation.
Equine performance isn't just powered by healthy lower legs, it relies on an interconnected system of tendons throughout the shoulders, hips, and topline. These upper-body tendons are responsible for drive, stability, and collection.
Here's a closer look at the most important upper-body tendons in performance horses, and why they need just as much attention.
1. Bicipital Tendon (Biceps Brachii Tendon)
Location: Shoulder joint
Function:Â Stabilizes the shoulder and flexes the elbow
This tendon is vital for forward motion. It helps absorb concussion through the shoulder and enables the extension and lift needed for jumping, galloping, and even advanced flatwork. The most common injuries are strains due to slips and falls, or tendinitis due to repetitive impact on particularly hard or deep footing.
2. Supraspinatus Tendon
Location:Â Runs from the scapula to the humerus
Function:Â Extends and stabilizes the shoulder
A key structure in stride reach and shoulder freedom, this tendon helps maintain rhythm and flexibility through the front end. Horses with tension or injury here often show a shortened stride and uneven reach. Fibrosis or desmitis is possible, particularly in horses asked for significant extension.
3. Infraspinatus Tendon
Location:Â Lateral aspect of the shoulder
Function:Â Aids lateral movement and external rotation
Crucial for tight turns, lateral work, and balance. This tendons allows subtle adjustment that are critical for disciplines like reining, dressage, and showjumping. Severe injuries are rare, but issues such as stiffness or pain in the tendon can result in forelimb lameness or a reluctance to bend.
4. Long Head of the Triceps Tendon
Location:Â Back of the upper forelimb
Function:Â Extends the elbow, helps with propulsion
This tendons helps generate push-off in the forelimbs, especially during acceleration, jumping takeoff, or galloping. Problems are seen due to strain on horses doing consistent uphill or explosive work.
5. Biceps Femoris & Semitendinosus Tendons (Hamstring Group)
Location:Â Hindquarters
Function:Â Extend the hip, stifle, and hock
These tendons are powerhouse stabilizers during canter, collection, and jumping. They drive the hind end forward and are essential for impulsion and uphill movement. The most common injuries here are overuse strain, or avulsion injuries from slipping.
6. Gluteal Tendons (Middle & Superficial Gluteals)
Location:Â Top of the hindquarters
Function:Â Propel the horse forward and support hip stability
Gluteal tendons transfer power from the hindquarters into forward motion. They're key to maintaining balance, thrust, and symmetry, especially under saddle. Chronic tension, soreness, or tearing can occur due to fatigue or saddle imbalance.
7. Nuchal Ligament
Location:Â Along the top of the neck, from poll to withers
Function:Â Supports the head and neck without muscle fatigue
Contributes to topline posture and balance. Tension here can affect the entire spinal column, interfering with collection and proper engagement. Issues can lead to stiffness, restricted range of motion, and compensatory soreness along the back.
What This Means for Recovery and Support
While lower limb tendon injuries are the most common, and often most focused on, these upper-body tendons are constantly working, and frequently overlooked until they become a serious problem
Horses that struggle with collection or impulsion, show inconsistent changes or stiffness, and have a history of sudden performance issues, may be dealing with early soft tissue strain in one of these critical areas.
Tendonall is formulated to support tendon and ligament health throughout the entire body, not just the legs. Tendonall supports recovery and resilience in the connective tissues that power your horse's performance—shoulder to stifle.
The Overlooked Tendons: The Importance of Equine Upper-Body Tendons
When we think of tendon injuries in horses, we often jump straight to the distal limb: the superficial digital flexor tendon, the deep digital flexor tendon, the suspensory ligament. While these structures are critical, they're only part of the equation.
Equine performance isn't just powered by healthy lower legs, it relies on an interconnected system of tendons throughout the shoulders, hips, and topline. These upper-body tendons are responsible for drive, stability, and collection.
Here's a closer look at the most important upper-body tendons in performance horses, and why they need just as much attention.
1. Bicipital Tendon (Biceps Brachii Tendon)
Location: Shoulder joint
Function:Â Stabilizes the shoulder and flexes the elbow
This tendon is vital for forward motion. It helps absorb concussion through the shoulder and enables the extension and lift needed for jumping, galloping, and even advanced flatwork. The most common injuries are strains due to slips and falls, or tendinitis due to repetitive impact on particularly hard or deep footing.
2. Supraspinatus Tendon
Location:Â Runs from the scapula to the humerus
Function:Â Extends and stabilizes the shoulder
A key structure in stride reach and shoulder freedom, this tendon helps maintain rhythm and flexibility through the front end. Horses with tension or injury here often show a shortened stride and uneven reach. Fibrosis or desmitis is possible, particularly in horses asked for significant extension.
3. Infraspinatus Tendon
Location:Â Lateral aspect of the shoulder
Function:Â Aids lateral movement and external rotation
Crucial for tight turns, lateral work, and balance. This tendons allows subtle adjustment that are critical for disciplines like reining, dressage, and showjumping. Severe injuries are rare, but issues such as stiffness or pain in the tendon can result in forelimb lameness or a reluctance to bend.
4. Long Head of the Triceps Tendon
Location:Â Back of the upper forelimb
Function:Â Extends the elbow, helps with propulsion
This tendons helps generate push-off in the forelimbs, especially during acceleration, jumping takeoff, or galloping. Problems are seen due to strain on horses doing consistent uphill or explosive work.
5. Biceps Femoris & Semitendinosus Tendons (Hamstring Group)
Location:Â Hindquarters
Function:Â Extend the hip, stifle, and hock
These tendons are powerhouse stabilizers during canter, collection, and jumping. They drive the hind end forward and are essential for impulsion and uphill movement. The most common injuries here are overuse strain, or avulsion injuries from slipping.
6. Gluteal Tendons (Middle & Superficial Gluteals)
Location:Â Top of the hindquarters
Function:Â Propel the horse forward and support hip stability
Gluteal tendons transfer power from the hindquarters into forward motion. They're key to maintaining balance, thrust, and symmetry, especially under saddle. Chronic tension, soreness, or tearing can occur due to fatigue or saddle imbalance.
7. Nuchal Ligament
Location:Â Along the top of the neck, from poll to withers
Function:Â Supports the head and neck without muscle fatigue
Contributes to topline posture and balance. Tension here can affect the entire spinal column, interfering with collection and proper engagement. Issues can lead to stiffness, restricted range of motion, and compensatory soreness along the back.
What This Means for Recovery and Support
While lower limb tendon injuries are the most common, and often most focused on, these upper-body tendons are constantly working, and frequently overlooked until they become a serious problem
Horses that struggle with collection or impulsion, show inconsistent changes or stiffness, and have a history of sudden performance issues, may be dealing with early soft tissue strain in one of these critical areas.
Tendonall is formulated to support tendon and ligament health throughout the entire body, not just the legs. Tendonall supports recovery and resilience in the connective tissues that power your horse's performance—shoulder to stifle.