Lumps, bumps, splints help.

[gingerspice]

Last Tuesday morning my horses near fore was swollen, with a bit of heat, up the inside of the leg from the fetlock. Got the vet out who didn't think it was anything serious, we couldn't find a thorn prick and vet thought he'd banged his leg somehow. Advised few days off and turn out.

Luckily we have a river in next field so he got stood in that for 15-20mins twice a day and bandaged at night, by Thursday morning the swelling had all gone (although after a day out in the field it was gone by each evening before) but he is left with a hard lump on the inside of the bone. I should say he has been sound throughout this the whole time.

The lump has reduced, but could this be a splint? Has anyone experienced anything similar - will it go? I was thinking of starting exercising him now, can't get hold of vet this morning to have a chat but just wanted advice from anyone if they can! He is a hunter, so works fairly hard.

Thanks!

 

[brightmount]

My daughter's showjumper got left with a bony lump on the inside of her hind cannon bone after an injury (she kicked herself in the stable!). It was x-rayed at the time and there was never a fracture as such, but the body reacted to the trauma by laying down bone in that area.

I'm sorry to say it has never gone away and never will. However she has always been totally sound since. Unfortunately it is likely to affect her value as people want clean legs on a horse.

 

[teddyt]

Yes, highly likely to be a splint. Splints can be caused by a knock but on the inside of the front leg it is more likely to be strain or concussion as the horse carries more weight on the front end. In this case the ligament that attaches to the bone pulls and more bone is laid down underneath.
Once they are formed they rarely cause any problems. You must be careful when they are forming though because extra strain makes them worse and they can become a more serious problem
I would be careful doing too much work for the next few weeks as this will put extra strain on the leg and it could get worse. Definately wouldnt go hunting. Walking should b ok and if you trotonly do it uphill to lessen the strain on the front legs. Cold hosing regularly will help keep inflammation down. If any further heat or swelling appears stop exercise