When most riders think about tendon injuries, their minds go straight to the lower limbs—the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament are the first soft tissues that come to mind. But soft tissue health extends beyond the distal limb. One lesser-discussed yet equally important structure is the biceps brachii tendon, also called the bicipital tendon. Injuries here can significantly impact a horse's comfort and performance.
Anatomy and Function of the Equine Bicep Tendon
The equine biceps brachii muscle originates at the scapula, with its tendon running through the intertubercular groove of the humerus. This tendon acts like a spring, storing energy and helping extend the shoulder joint. Its role is critical for forward motion, especially in athletic horses asked to gallop, jump, or perform collected movements.
Because of its location and function, lameness in the bicep tendon can be difficult to see. When injured, horses often show subtle forelimb lameness that may be subtle or intermittent, or the horse may have performance issues, making it a challenging condition to diagnose.
Common Causes of Injury
Bicep tendon injuries occur in several ways:
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Repetitive strain:Â More common in horses in regular, intense work, such as jumpers or reiners.
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Trauma:Â A slip, fall, or awkward take-off/landing may overstretch the tendon.
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Overuse fatigue: Particularly in young or underconditioned horses asked to perform beyond their current fitness level.
Unlike many lower-limb injuries, bicep tendon injuries are not always obvious. Clinical signs can mimic neck or lower-limb issues, making accurate diagnosis critical.
Recognizing the Signs
Horses with a bicep tendon injury may show:
- Forelimb lameness that worsens with work
- Shortened stride in the affected limb
- Pain on palpation over the shoulder region
- Lameness on upper limb flexionÂ
- Difficult with movements requiring reach, like jumping or lengthening
Because these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, diagnostics (such as nerve-blocking and ultrasound) are needed to confirm the injury.
The Road to Recovery
Luckily, bicep tendon injuries have good prognoses with aggressive treatment, adequate rest, and proper rehabilitation.
However, like all tendons, the bicep tendon has limited blood supply and is slow to repair. Scar tissue formation can reduce elasticity, leaving the horse more vulnerable to reinjury. Recovery often requires extended rest, carefully managed rehabilitation, and gradual return to work.
Tendonall is clinically formulated to aid in the healing of soft tissue injuries in equine athletes. Combined with treatments such as PRP and shockwave, Tendonall is another tool to use to get the best results possible for your horse.
Bicep tendon injuries may not be as widely known or discusses as lower limb soft tissue injuries, but they can be equally limiting for performance horses. By understanding their role, recognizing the signs early, and committing to long-term care, riders can give their horses the best chance at success.
Understanding Equine Bicep Tendon Injuries
When most riders think about tendon injuries, their minds go straight to the lower limbs—the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament are the first soft tissues that come to mind. But soft tissue health extends beyond the distal limb. One lesser-discussed yet equally important structure is the biceps brachii tendon, also called the bicipital tendon. Injuries here can significantly impact a horse's comfort and performance.
Anatomy and Function of the Equine Bicep Tendon
The equine biceps brachii muscle originates at the scapula, with its tendon running through the intertubercular groove of the humerus. This tendon acts like a spring, storing energy and helping extend the shoulder joint. Its role is critical for forward motion, especially in athletic horses asked to gallop, jump, or perform collected movements.
Because of its location and function, lameness in the bicep tendon can be difficult to see. When injured, horses often show subtle forelimb lameness that may be subtle or intermittent, or the horse may have performance issues, making it a challenging condition to diagnose.
Common Causes of Injury
Bicep tendon injuries occur in several ways:
Unlike many lower-limb injuries, bicep tendon injuries are not always obvious. Clinical signs can mimic neck or lower-limb issues, making accurate diagnosis critical.
Recognizing the Signs
Horses with a bicep tendon injury may show:
Because these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, diagnostics (such as nerve-blocking and ultrasound) are needed to confirm the injury.
The Road to Recovery
Luckily, bicep tendon injuries have good prognoses with aggressive treatment, adequate rest, and proper rehabilitation.
However, like all tendons, the bicep tendon has limited blood supply and is slow to repair. Scar tissue formation can reduce elasticity, leaving the horse more vulnerable to reinjury. Recovery often requires extended rest, carefully managed rehabilitation, and gradual return to work.
Tendonall is clinically formulated to aid in the healing of soft tissue injuries in equine athletes. Combined with treatments such as PRP and shockwave, Tendonall is another tool to use to get the best results possible for your horse.
Bicep tendon injuries may not be as widely known or discusses as lower limb soft tissue injuries, but they can be equally limiting for performance horses. By understanding their role, recognizing the signs early, and committing to long-term care, riders can give their horses the best chance at success.