Contracted tendons are not a death sentence. Around here the surgery for it is $125-$175 dollars. Most come out good as new afterwards. I have seen 4-5 foals born with or developed them at all different stages of life (under a year). My 08 filly got them at 7months at her new owners house. She freaked and I took her back. Two weeks of different feed and they went back to normal. I would have done the surgery otherwise. The lady bought her back again and have never had a problem since.