Does anyone still blister?

[lensmith7]

Well, openly admit to blistering for splints I mean?

I had a very intersting converstion with someone who's just come back from working a top class yard, and it's regular practise there.

I know it's meant to be banned. But do people still do it? More than we think maybe?

H x x

 

[Laafet]

Sadly I know a massive place that does it still. I saw no point.

 

[Ezme]

never even heard of it! Is it like fireing for tendons?

 

[Laafet]

Imagine acid being put onto legs, causes a massive swelling, usually some cracking on the skin and horse has to go on box rest. They used to do it on the yard I was on to 'strengthen' the tendons. It was barbaric.

 

[josiesmithuk]

Have used Splintex in the past, not worth it with every horse though.

Have never seen it done to the extent of massive swelling and lameness. When we have used SPlintex we have worked them through it with no noticeable changes.

x x

 

[moocow]

The vet I did work experience used to do it regularly.

 

[glenruby]

It was banned in Britain a few years ago, but trainers just shipped their horses to Ireland to get it done instead. Yes its still regularly done over here along with firing. Cant see it dying out anytime soon. One of the supposed indications for it is to bring increased bloodflow to the area to enhance healing of a wound/sesamoiditis/splints/tendons though many vets do it more because of the enforced box rest that accompanies it. Basically time has been proven to be as good a healer, but most people are reluctant to rest a horse once it becomes sound. despite the fact that it may take the tendon upto 18mths to heal completely - if the horse is sound in 6 mths the owner is tempted to start it back in work - firing will keep them out for longer ensuring that the horse will recieve the correct amount of box rest/turnout. Thats the rational on which most vets do it - trainers that use it seem to still eblieve it "cures" them.

 

[lensmith7]

Thats really interesting glenruby. Thanks

 

[kellyeaton]

no i would never do it and it puts the horse in pain!

 

[Donkeymad]

Glad you said that, because I thought it was banned in the UK too. Not that a ban ever stopped anyone.

 

[samstar]

I thought post was about blisters on hands when not wearing gloves