tIGHT TENDONS

F3047 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:13 am Post subject: tIGHT TENDONS

I have a 2 month old colt with tendons that are too tight, not knuckled over in front pasterns, but just too straight. At times I have given him tetracycline to loosen them up, now he seems to be limping as he comes in from the pasture. I kept him and Momma up and cut back on her feed, and she just lost weight and kept milking. He is very tall and is growing very fast...do I need to worried about permanent damage?
Should I try to wean early or seperate them when she eats her grain, because she lets him eat with her plus giving him milk. He has been eating grain since he was 3 days old. They get 6 lbs 14 % 'allgrain'...mixed sweet feed
F3047
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horsetrainer89 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

Sounds to me like he has constricted tendons (not 100% sure on the name though, but can't tell without pictures). In this situation, you should call the vet and this foal may possibly need surgery to fix this. He will have permanent damage if not fixed. I would slow up on the grain for the baby. That is a lot for a foal to take in. Don't cut back on the mothers feed. Build a little pan up higher where the baby can't reach, but the mother can or you can split them up for feeding (keep them next to each other, but keep them separate (two stalls together or something like that)) and turn them back out together after they finish eating.

Hope that helps!!!!

NZ Appaloosas · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

Contracted tendons is the correct term. If you google it, you will find some info, but from what I have read, anything that needs doing needs a vet, so you should discuss this with your vet as well.

Diane
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F3047 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: TIGHT TENDONS

I dont feed him any grain but give 6lbs once a day to Momma and he gets in there and eats wiht her. I will seperate him and cut his grain to zero if need be, I have never had a foal grow this fast and have always gave grain to mom and baby together, usually the momma eats most and baby dont get much or wont try to eat for the first month or so.
Just to let you know I am not trying to push him or anything of the sort, its just that he is growing fast. I fed him and the other colt a 3 lb can together and they wre eating fine seperated from their mommas tonight, I wont wean them but just feed them grain seperate from their mommas I guess...until they are about 4 month old.
I hope this will cut the risk of him having surgery.
I would like to avoid cutting my baby open.
f3047
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NZ Appaloosas · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

While "overfeeding" can cause the bones to grow faster than the tendons (now that term I'm always forgetting, but I believe it starts with "e"--ephistysis?), it can also "just occur", and all you can do is monitor it--but it is very different from contracted tendons.

Really sounds like you need to talk this over with your vet since the way each condition is treated is massively different. Contracted tendons, from what I've read, requires surgery, casts, that sort of thing, and the growth of bones faster than tendons a lot of times just needs monitoring and time.

Diane
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horsetrainer89 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

I wasn't suggesting that you were rushing him. I could tell from your post that you weren't meaning to, he just happened to be growing fast. Surgery for these guys is not that bad especially when done at a young age. I would suggest talking to your vet for more information and a proper diagnosis. He could recommend a different feed to help fix the problem and he could tell you what your best option is as far as wait it out or surgery. I have seen it done on many foals before (not my own, but ones who have been in the vet clinic (horse only vet clinic)). I can understand if it is a money issue, but I would highly recommend giving it a thought. It will improve the conformation, but should not be used for breeding since this kind of thing is slightly hereditary.

F3047 · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:07 am Post subject: Tight Tendons

Thanks Guys
Will call the vet...

F#3047
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Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be acheived.
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ingallsra · Yearling Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 21

My friend is a breeder and has had a few with contracted tendons. In mild cases, they worked themselves out, but more serious cases definitely need the intervention of a vet. It's great that he's walking, albeit with a limp. I've seen them so bad they couldn't stand.
There's a good chance, with a vet's help, he could be fine. Good luck!

horsewoman1965 · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:06 am Post subject:

We have also had several that would end up with contracted tendons. One was born with it and it took her a couple months to straighten out, just like the Vet said she would. The others just outgrew it also. The one that was the worst of the group that developed when he started eating good on his own and still nursing, I ordered the DAC paste for him and it straightened out pretty quick. The paste was $100 for one month and he has been fine since. That was when he was 4-5 months old and he's a yearling now. Weaned him at 6 months.
There is also a product called "rejuvenade" (?) that is supposed to do the same thing.
The DAC supplier told me it can happen due to an imbalance of copper in the diet. Something to ask the Vet about anyways.
Ephiysitis (?) cannot be diagnosed without Xrays.
Is this the first baby you have dealt with or just the first to do this? Have you changed feed or your hay supply in the past few months? Just something else to consider.
Good luck and keep us updated.
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