Patient: James, 18-year-old Quarter Horse gelding.

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Injury: Traumatic medial limb laceration sustained on 24 October 2025 after collision with a tractor, resulting in approximately 90% transection of the SDFT with minor DDFT involvement. The injury was managed non-surgically.

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EqueStride Rehabilitation: Commenced 7 November 2025, approximately 2 weeks post-injury. Initially mildly lame at walk with minor fetlock hyperextension and minimal swelling; the wound had healed by the first assessment.​

 

Ultrasonography: Serial assessment demonstrated progressive healing. By January - March, the lesion contained substantial granulation tissue and was estimated to be 80–90% healed on transverse imaging, although the tendon remained enlarged. Longitudinal fibre pattern progressively developed, consistent with ongoing tendon remodelling.

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Lameness: At the first trot assessment in February, James was 4–5/10 lame. This improved to 1/10 on S3 by March, and by late April–May he was sound at trot in a straight line, with only approximately 1/10 lameness on a circle.​

 

Rehabilitation: Exercise was progressed from short periods of supported hand walking to three 20-minute walking sessions daily, followed by controlled trot intervals, small-paddock turnout and subsequently unrestricted field turnout.​

 

Outcome: After approximately 7 months of EqueStride-supported rehabilitation, ultrasound showed very good tendon healing with progressive longitudinal fibre organisation. James tolerated unrestricted turnout, including spontaneous canter exercise, without reported deterioration. At the final review he was sound at trot in a straight line, had normal fetlock extension, and the EqueStride device was successfully withdrawn. Overall outcome was recorded as excellent recovery.