"Spook Wizzed on Me” — also known as Spook — is a 2-year-old Quarter Horse stallion that sustained a life-threatening injury on Aug. 31, 2018. He was startled while being led in from turnout, went backward and ran into an electric box for an RV hookup. He lacerated his right hind digital flexor tendons.

The wound was immediately cleaned with betadine solution, bandaged and sent to Peterson Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala, Fla. The laceration occurred just proximal to the fetlock, which meant it involved the digital tendon flexor sheath. An ultrasound image showed that approximately 85% to 90% of the superficial flexor tendon was severed (Figure 1 above), as was 10% to 15% of the deep digital flexor tendon.

The decision was made to not suture the tendon. Many surgeons feel it is difficult to keep the ends of the tendon together. When the sutures fail it creates more complications than allowing the tendon to scar back together…