A 7-year-old horse, sustained a severe fetlock laceration injury during hunting in March 2025, slicing through the fetlock region and partially damaging both the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) and Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT). Surgical repair was performed.

​

At the start of rehabilitation:

• The wound remained fragile with significant granulation tissue

• Swelling was present around the fetlock

• The horse required strict box rest

• Walking exercise was initially not permitted

EqueStride rehabilitation commenced on 17.04.2025, approximately four weeks post-injury. Early rehabilitation focused on:

• Stable support using thick bandaging

• Gradual increase in support duration

• Controlled walking exercise

• Careful wound management while allowing periods of fresh air exposure

Ultrasound findings during rehabilitation showed:

• Significant improvement over time

• Reduced swelling

• No fetlock hyperextension

• Tendon showed good healing on repeated ultrasound scan

Exercise rehabilitation using EqueStride progressed gradually from:

• Controlled box rest

• Hand walking and walker sessions

• Small supervised turnout

• Introduction of ridden walking

• Later introduction of short trot intervals

Throughout rehabilitation:

• The horse improved from significant post-surgical restriction to soundness at walk

• Mild intermittent lameness at trot was present which improved over time with consistent gradually increasing exercise load

Outcome

After approximately four months of EqueStride-supported rehabilitation:

• Swelling reduced substantially

• The wound healed successfully

• The horse became consistently sound at walk

• Ultrasound scans showed good healing and good fibre pattern alignment

• The attending veterinarian recommended gradual withdrawal from the device due to positive recovery progress

• Horse was back to ridden work 8 months post injury, walking and trotting sound under saddle.