Equestride Equine Injury Management: Innovation and Benefits
The EqueStride Equine Tendon Support is an adjustable therapeutic system for the improved management of flexor tendon and suspensory ligament injury in horses. The device has variable support enabling a fully controlled exercise regime during injury rehabilitation.
The tendon support is designed to resist over extension of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal (‘fetlock’) joint when the limb is loaded. It has been manufactured to the highest engineering standards and has been validated both in vitro and in vivo (see Smith, et al., 2002 [1] ). This validation confirmed that the EqueStride Equine Tendon Support is the only device capable of resisting extension of the fetlock joint under loads experienced at the walk (and higher gaits) compared to currently available simple protective boots or a thick Robert Jones-style bandage.
The only other device capable of providing significant support at these loads is a cast in which a horse cannot exercise. However, the significant advantage of the EqueStride Equine Tendon Support is that once in place, it can be used while the horse is exercising, making it perfectly suited to the rehabilitation of tendon and ligament overstrain injuries of the palmar/plantar metacarpus/metatarsus. Furthermore the amount of support can be adjusted enabling the healing soft tissues to be gradually loaded to greater amounts during the rehabilitation process which will optimize the quality of the healing tissue, maximizing the chance of a successful return to full work, while still providing protection at higher loads. It can be fitted on a horse much more easily than a cast and takes only moments to apply or remove.
If you need more information about any of the injury treatment services we provide, or if you have any other questions please contact us.
Manufactured from the most modern, high strength aerospace materials to the highest engineering standards, the EqueStride Equine Tendon Support consists of semi-rigid carbon fibre composite sheaths that enclose the metacarpal and proximal phalangeal regions. These are joined by a hinge joint that pivots concentrically with the horses MCP (Fetlock) joint.
The system has been tested by Professor Roger Smith, European Specialist in Equine Orthopaedic Surgery and Professor of Equine Orthopaedics at The Royal Veterinary College. Professor Smith is the head of a world-renowned research group investigating the diagnosis and management of tendon injuries in horses and humans.
Our clinical procedures guide offers a full description of what the Equestride support system does and how it should be used to treat a horse with tendon and suspensory ligament injury, or related degenerative condition.
Please download and read the guide for a full list of applications.