Old Bows

hev339 · Postby **hev339** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:02 am

I have a TB who came off the track a year and a half ago with a bow and was passed on to me about 3 weeks after the initial injury took place.

He did 6 months total of recuperating and then we slowly brought him back over the past 8 months to where he is now, which is working about 5 times per week, and he’s just starting over fences. Ultrasound shows that the tendon healed pretty well. Not once has his tendon been hot or swollen, and he has never come up lame, and the tendon feels nice and tight.

However;

It is ugly. I know this is just aesthetics but is there anything that can be done at this point to reduce the appearance of his bow? I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that is was not properly cared for when he first injured it – iced only once or twice and then turned out in a field with a few buddies until he came to my place.

Anyone have any tips for fixing up an old bow?

(A side note: A tough question and I’m not sure if there is really much that can be done, but thought I’d ask for your opinions on this one. It’s more to start some conversation and hear other’s ideas, as I love this guy and don’t really care if he’s got a few bumps and war wounds from his years on the track).

Jane · Postby **Jane** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:02 pm

Are you sure that jumping a horse with a bow is a good idea?

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:15 pm

I wonder if the void in the tendon is completely filled in with scar tissue by this time? If not, maybe even regardless, shockwave therapy may work to shrink it.

I've heard of jumpers with bows, even 2 bows, staying in competition at the highest levels. Can't recall any names though.

hev339 · Postby **hev339** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:17 pm

Jane: he wouldn't be jumping if it wasn't okayed by the vet...and jumping consists of very small crossrails just to mix things up every once in a while.

Tiz - can you tell me more about shockwave therapy?

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:29 pm

Shockwave therapy, in layman's terms, literally rattles things around. That stimulates circulation, and even the growth of brand new blood vessels. Healing is all about good circulation, carrying the good stuff in, the bad stuff out. Tendons have a poor blood supply to begin with, which is why they heal so slowly, and poorly, so shockwave seems made to order for these injuries.
My vet said that, in the beginning, it was thought that shockwave was the miracle cure for tendons. That enthusiasm has since been tamped down to a degree, though it's still new. Time will tell.

The Horse.com is a good source for information on the latest studies. You'll find it interesting.

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:57 pm

My first horse was an OTTB he had two HUGE bow's and he is still jumping and LOVES it , he had a year off after racing and has never took a bad step since.

hev339 · Postby **hev339** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:38 pm

Thanks Tiz!
And Trackgal, thanks for the story about your horse..gives me a little encouragement!! All I know is my guy is loving every second of his new job and hasn't shown any signs of lameness at all.

ireneinwa · Postby **ireneinwa** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:22 pm

One of my guys 17.2 geld bowed in training as a 3yr old. Minimal scar tissue, worked on it day and night. Can still see it. These past summer started jumping him. Nice form , jumped 3ft beautifully. Now he's off to a well known jumper barn. They love him. Some people seem to think once a horse bows they are not good for anything. Funny story about my guy. Tried selling him on my own. Georgeous horse great attitude , anyone can ride. Had people come out they were scared because of old bow. Had him for sell for $5000. So now he's at jumper barn where if i wan't him to be consigned its nothing less than 15,000.

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:41 pm

Irene, where in Washington State? are you located. We have a Basket Weave gelding, 6 years old, that might make a hunter/jumper. I have been getting a lot of feed back that Basket Weaves are doing very well in that type of work.

FancyHorse · Postby **FancyHorse** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:41 pm

If the bow is set, then there is nothing you can do about its appearence. I know how you feel, I got my guy off the track that had bowed about 2 or 3 times. It looks really bad, but it set and has held up great!

ireneinwa · Postby **ireneinwa** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:24 pm

Im North of Vancouver Wa but we sent that guy to Canby Oregon.
Im going to see how it goes and all get back to you on these place in the next month or so. If you want him to try jumping field Id start lunging over poles then just raise them let him freejump. See if he likes it. Get some pics of him jumping this way you have some kinda idea about his form. My guy when he was ready to see what he had I had to raise to about 3ft to get him to actually get up there w/out trying to hop over. Hes a big guy about 17.2
Good luck

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:54 am

Speaking of bows, I had a horse tear a minimal amount of outer tendon fibers in his right front limb this summer. There was some heat and swelling in about an inch and a half area. We iced, and put him in a jello cast and walked for thirty days. He was given two shockwave therapy treatments (much of the heat dissipated shortly after 2nd treatment) placed in a stall and 25x40 paddock for three months then into pasture currently. No heat and little or no bowing in area presently.

Question-how long would you wait before returning to training? I was told by vet it takes at least ten months for damaged fiber area to strengthen enough to stand any type of physical stress. Any thoughts?

ireneinwa · Postby **ireneinwa** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:38 pm

You no ever horse and situation is diffrent, but my horse and his bow after 4 th month ultrasound vet said to go ahead and start back slow. I didnt do to much with him I really left him off for about a year or more.