If an owner finds his or her horse in the field, a foreleg covered in blood from the knee down, the animal’s tendons might not be the first concern. But as Robert L. Linford, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, a professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explained at a recent veterinary conference, even the tiniest leg laceration can have dire consequences for nearby tendons if left untreated.

At the 2012 Western Veterinary Conference, held Feb. 19-23 in Las Vegas, Nev., Linford discussed the clinical signs associated with certain tendon lacerations, along with the treatment options and prognoses, during a presentation for a veterinary audience.

Where Are the Tendons?

"Tendon lacerations are serious injuries for horses because a seemingly simple wound may cause a crippling lameness," Linford explained. "Any laceration below the elbow or stifle has the potential to sever a major tendon