Awareness, prevalence, predisposing factors and review of common local remedies of bowed tendon in horses in some stables in Zaria and Kano, Nigeria

Horses are globally known to be used for vigorous and strenuous works such as polo games, horse racing, pleasure riding in festivities of Sallah, Durba and other traditional ceremonies (e.g. weddings). As such, horses are affected by lameness conditions due mainly to bowed tendon (tendonitis/tendon injury). Although multiple equine conditions have been reported in Nigeria, there is paucity of information about bowed tendon. The study was aimed at assessing the level of awareness of horse owners and investigating the prevalence rate, risk factors and common remedies employed in management of bowed tendon affecting horses in Polo clubs and race course in Kano and Zaria Nigeria. A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed among horsemen and equine practitioners in the study area. The overall awareness level of horse owners to bowed tendon (commonly known as “Tanda”) was 64% and the prevalence rate ranged from 31% to 37% occurring very rarely. The significant predisposing factors to the condition included the breed of the horse (more in Sudanese, 43%,and less in Argentine, 18%); the use of the horse (more in polo horses, 46%); the frequency of exercise (53% in horses on 5-6 times exercise per week, 12% in horses exercised once monthly) and administration of medication (steroids) before or after exercise (67%). 62% of the horsemen manage this condition by themselves using traditional remedies (mixtures of eucalyptus oil, palm oil, ash and alum), 22% consults with the veterinarian; whereas, 14% consults with the herbal or traditional doctor. Our findings showed that drugs, particularly steroids, are indiscriminately used in stables for musculoskeletal conditions.