Mobilization of Horses after Musculoskeletal Injury

Long periods of stall rest used to be part of the healing process after musculoskeletal injury or surgery. This regimen allowed healing but also resulted in bulky scar tissue, adhesions, and losses in range of motion, flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.

Newer advice is to put recovering horses back into light work at a much earlier point. Though a short period of immobilization is important immediately after severe tears and fractures, early mobilization has been shown to increase blood and lymph flow, and the tissue tension caused by movement stimulates soft tissue repair and improves fiber alignment in healing tissues. In one study, there was a 60% improvement in tendon Type 1 collagen deposition and a 20% improvement in range of motion and the ability of an injured tendon to handle ground reaction forces. Also, long immobilization doesn’t guarantee a better outcome, and early mobilization doesn’t lead to an increased rate of reinjury.

While it’s difficult to quantify the psychological effect of stall confinement, some horses seem to become depressed while others show increased agitation when they are kept in stalls with no company, turnout, or exercise. Each horse and injury must be evaluated on an individual basis to determine the best course of treatment and recovery.