What is a splint in a horse?

What is a splint in a horse?

‘Splints’ refer to a hard, bony swelling that appears on the inside (or occasionally outside) of the horse’s lower leg. They are caused by damage to the splint bones or the ligament between the splint and cannon bone. Although they can occur at any age, they are common in younger horses in training.

How do you treat splints in horses?

Managing splints Treatment typically includes rest, cryotherapy (ice/cold hosing), and supportive wraps. Your veterinarian might recommend topical treatment with anti-inflammatory products, such as Surpass (diclofenac sodium), or applying a sweat wrap to the leg to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Do splints in horses go away?

This is the splint, which will reduce in size over time, but is unlikely to disappear. The new bone stabilises the source of irritation by forming a bridge between the digits. These splints occur most typically on the inside of the forelimb, or on the outside of the hind limb in young, immature horses in work.

How long does it take for a horse splint to heal?

The most important part of treating splints is rest. The horse should be confined to a generously sized box stall or a small paddock until the inflammation has quieted down. This can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, and there’s no way to rush it along.

Do splints hurt horses?

For the most part, splints are cosmetic blemishes that don’t interfere with a horse’s long-term athletic ability. However, some can result in significant lameness, especially in the immediate injury period or, in rare cases, where there is impingement of the suspensory ligament.

Should you box rest a lame horse?

Most vets nowadays will recommend box rest with a little controlled exercise and you may be advised to have your horse out of the stable for a few minutes every hour or so. This walking is beneficial in increasing the circulation and so prevents swelling.

Do splints affect horses?

Splints can occur as a result of trauma, foot imbalance, or secondary to poor knee conformation, namely bench knee. Young horses are more commonly affected, but splints can affect horses of any age. Clinical signs vary in severity.

Can you ride a lame horse?

When a horse goes lame, you can’t ride them. Riding a lame horse can injure it further and will almost certainly cause pain. If you’re riding and you feel the telltale hitch or skip in your horse’s stride that indicates lameness, bring your horse back to a walk, then halt and dismount.

Why is my horse limping on front leg?

Navicular, punctures or even an advanced case of thrush in the hooves can cause a horse to be lame. Further up the leg, tendon or ligament strain can cause slight lameness. Bone chips in the joints, arthritis, and many other problems can cause slight lameness.

How do you prevent splints in horses?

How can splints be prevented?

1. Increase training or performance level gradually, especially with young horses or horses returning to work after a layoff.
2. Use splint boots to prevent accidental injury caused by a horse hitting a hoof against the inside of the opposite leg.

What exactly is a splint on a horse?

What are Splints? Splints in a horse is an inflammatory condition of the splint bones that mainly happens in horses that are growing and participating in significant training. Each of a horse’s limb contains a cannon bone; on each side of the cannon bone is a small bone called the splint bone.

How does a horse get a splint?

Horses that develop splints on both front legs or both hind legs, found at the same locations, it is usually the result of concussion from working on too hard of a surface. When splints develop on one leg, it is most likely caused by trauma as a result of a direct kick from another horse, interference with the opposite foot, or some other trauma.

What does popping a splint mean for your horse?

Splints are enlargements that can occur along the length of a horse’s splint bones , two slender bones that begin under the horse’s knee and continue down the cannon bone. These enlargements, often referred to as the horse “popping a splint” because the splint bone looks larger on the leg, indicate that the area has been inflamed.

What is a popped splint?

Diagnosing and Treating Splints Popped splints. The more common popped splint often presents as a fast-developing warm, firm swelling on the side of the cannon bone. Fractured splints. Direct trauma is the most common cause of a fractured splint bone. The location dictates the treatment plan and prognosis. Managing splints. Most cases respond very well to conservative treatment.