Page 316 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

ultrasonography; this applies to racehorses after a hard race and eventers after major

competitions. Thermography may detect the heat associated with inflammatory changes
VetBooks.ir • up to 2 weeks before they are observed by the trainer or rider.

Genetics: some horses may have a genetic predisposition to weak tendon structure;
further work is being done to investigate this.

A blood test may soon become available to detect early tendon damage.

Above all else, it is important to remember that a horse may NOT be lame despite moderate

tendon damage. Continued work and ignoring the warning signs may lead to permanent and
irreparable damage.

STRAIN OF THE DEEP DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON

Anatomy

The fleshy part of the deep digital flexor muscle in the forelimb lies along the back of the

radius under the superficial digital flexor. It then becomes a thick tendon running through the
carpal canal at the back of the knee. It continues down behind the cannon (metacarpal) bone

where it is joined in the middle third by the accessory ligament which originates at the back
of the knee. The tendon passes through a ring formed by the SDFT at the fetlock and then

inserts on the pedal bone (third or distal phalanx). Part of the deep digital flexor tendon
(DDFT) is enclosed within the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) (Figure 7.5).