Customer Reviews

The Bowed Tendon Book

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3 star:		(1)
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All horse owners need this valuable book before this often career ending injury occurs. Clearly and easily explaines all aspects of a bowed tendon. I do wish it had more info on how to manage an old bow that may not have had the proper care and rest that was needed (I have a retired racer that suffered a bow several years ago). I would have never purchased him before reading this book due to all of the myths surrounding bowed tendons. This book cleared up all of the old myths and showed me that there is much more life for a horse after a bowed tendon.

I recently adopted an ex-racehorse with a bow. I bought this book in an effort to understand what a bow is, and how best to treat one. I found this book to be very easy to understand. Explains mechanics of the horse's leg, and how easily a bow can happen when a horse is over-stressed and tired. Treatment is explained, but assumes the bow is fresh. Would like to have gotten more information on treating a bow when you have no background on the initial treatment the horse got when injured. Book does stress time off (up to a year) for the horse. A "must have" book for any horse owner. It opened my eyes to this very avoidable injury.

When my mare recently was diagnosed with a bowed tendon, I didn't really know what that meant. I bought this book in hopes of enlightenment, which it provided in abounds. It answered all the questions I had but didn't think to ask the vet during the inital panic that set in when he first told me that my mare's limping was due to a bow. Now I know the most common causes of bows as well as the best (and only) way to treat them -- rest and time off for the horse. I also have confidence that I'm doing the right thing for my mare, and have answers for people who ask why I'm not riding her for a year, why I'm not bandaging the leg, etc. The book also had lengthy descriptions of the alternate treatments that people have used (ranging from the simply ineffective to the downright barbaric) to try to speed recovery from bows. It's a pretty well-written book, too, and an easy read. This book was a godsend. I wish Tom Ivers would come out with more books about other problems I have with my horse's health!

Very few have been able to write about the injury, treatment and care so concisely and understandabley to all horse owners. the author never talks down to the reader, instead, communicates on the level of all readers. The first part of the book is devoted to the injury and how it happens and its effects on the horse. The second part of the book is about the treatment and successive training afterward. This is an indispensible book for all horse owners and lovers.

Other books may have sections, even chapters on bowed tendons in horses, but while _The Bowed Tendon Book_ does not go into the excruciating detail of a verterinary textbook, _The Bowed Tendon Book_ does provide an excellant description of the etiology, prevention, and rehabilitation of bowed tendons.In addition, _The Bowed Tendon Book_ is clear and easily readable.

The sections on prevention and rehab are superior to any I have seen in any other book-- and I have read quite a few other books.

For equine operations that have a reasonable chance of encountering a bowed tendon, I would recommend this book be obtained *before* the dreadful event asthe first 72 hours of treatment are very important (the inflammation from the injury causes still more damage to the tendon). Ivers makes it clear that the chances of complete recovery to the horse's original capability levels is slim, and what recovery occurs will likely take 6 months to a year[but wait! BAPN make change "slim" to "moderate"].

The best cure, then, is prevention. While not all of the techniques described by Ivers can be economically applied by all operations, there are several ideas present that *can* easily be utilized, including work to help condition tendons. For anyone working horses near the horse's physiological limits, the section on prevention is probably well worth the cost of the _The Bowed Tendon Book_

Good book, with some very useful tips on shoeing and basic anatomy, adhesion etc, more aimed at prevention and cause, than cure, but do I feel you are more likely to buy a book like this when its too late, and you have already got the bow! Rather focussed on racing and USA breeds but applicable to all. Useful library addition, not too (or sufficiently) scientific (depending on what you want).

This book provides the important guidelines for looking after your horse and best friend. Do not rely on the farrier and trainer to do the "right thing" be aware of the dangers and pitfalls of incorrect shoeing, training and handling. This book provides an excellent guide for the non pro competitor to look after his or her horse.