Looking to buy - Advice on Splints?

LizzyandToddy

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Currently looking to buy an off the track TB, horse is 6years old and last raced in August, been turned out to be a horse again since but has an old splint on front leg (see photos below). It is a false splint from being raced on hard ground, vet has looked at it previously and said can't forsee it causing any problems - just hard lump remains no heat. Horse perfectly sound and straight, just wondered what people would advise as I don't know much about them - will it ever go away / likely to cause any future problems?

Would be starting things slowly as with any Ottb, probably focus will be mostly groundwork for the forseeable future, though possibly some light jumping work once the groundwork is more established. So not exactly going to be in heavy work.

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That would not bother me in this horse, it would be different if I was paying good money for a young horse that had not worked but not in something that has been worked relatively hard, is presumably priced at the lower end of the market and is sound, you rarely find a perfect horse with this you can see what you are buying, the splint is not going to interfere with his knee joint, it may well go down over the next year or so, if you like him and he is otherwise correct then go for it.
 
Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Nowhere near the joint; cold and hard; horse is sound. No problem.
 
My TB had splints from her previous life. She was older and they were tiny (probably reduced over time). She was never, ever lame and we successfully competed in three disciplines + ODE, along with occasional team chasing. If I could have her all over again, I would. Splints and all!
 
I agree with your vet, if it is cold and hard, and is well away from the joint (which it appears to be) then I would not be concerned. Double bonus, although it will never disappear, I bet it won't look half as big in 5 years time!
 
My horse had one show up on his pre purchase examination. By the time his second vetting came round three years later (revalued for insurance purposes) he had two splints! Never bothered him. I was more suprised that two vettings failed to spot 2nd degree heart block!
 
mine threw 1 there galloping in the field in the summer as a 3 year old ! I was heartbroken but it went down to barely anything & never caused her an issue at all, not 1 lame day or anything. Wouldn't worry me at all.

I got a rising 7 year old vetted & the vet was amazed she didn't have a splint on her at nearly 7. She got DJD then navicular, so a splint would have been a blessing haha
 
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