New splint

[Nari]

Jim came in from the field this afternoon with a hard lump on the inside of his hind leg a bit below the hock joint. Although he seemed sound it was obviously a bit sore to touch & neither my teacher or I liked the look of it so I got the vet out. Vet thinks it's a splint & has come up suddenly because of a torque (twist) incident. She's left me Danilon (I was trying to cut his feed down but no chance of that now), advised 10-14 days field rest then light work with no tight turns or circles & no concussion.

Now I know that sounds very straightforward but my question is this. If he's sound enough for field rest is it going to be ok to give him 3 or 4 days off then lightly ride him round the outside of the school or do short walk hacks on a flat bit of road providing he's sound? It isn't that I resent giving him the time off, rather that he's a big horse who can get rather "interesting" if not ridden regularly - give him a fortnight off & when I get back on the result isn't likely to be slow controlled exercise with no sharp turns

!

Any views or experiences you'd like to share?

 

[vicm2509]

My boy developed a splint on his near fore about 4-5 weeks ago. Although there was no heat, it wasnt sore and he was sound (possibly fully developed before I noticed it). I gave him 3 days box rest followed by 7 days field rest, all this time I was cold hosing and kept splint boots on him for turnout, 1 week light work (walk and trot only in field or menage) and he is now back in full work. He was only really tiny though.

I think it really depends on where the splint is and how long it takes before its fully formed and if there is heat or lameness present. I would though TBH give him at least a week off just incase it gets worse in this time, then maybe have a chat with your vet. If he is still sound then and there is not heat in the splint then I see no harm in light work but I would check with the vet as all horses and splints are different and the advice on them varies so much.

 

[Nari]

The vet didn't think it needed box rest (I mentioned it to her & was very relieved when she said no!) & said that where it was it was unlikely to cause a problem. I cold hosed it last night & this morning - I hope it has a better effect on his leg than his temper! - even though there didn't seem to be much heat in it & he seemed quite happy sodding off up the field when turned out

.

My worry is that given a fortnight off he's unlikely to walk quietly when brought back into work, he's more likely to prat about enough to undo a fortnight's rest in 10 minutes. If I give him three or four days off & he's still sound he'll probably be calm enough to walk quietly round the outside of the school or along some flat roads. He had time off a few years ago for a splint on a front leg - I ended up in casualty when I brought him back into work & maybe more annoyingly he jarred the splint up again galloping a couple of miles home on concrete tracks & tarmac roads

. I don't want a repeat!

Good luck with your boy, I hope his splint doesn't cause any more problems.

 

[vicm2509]

In which case I would pop him in light work after a few days but maybe keep it to the school as the roads are likely to concuss it more. I didnt consult the vet with Barons and he is fine, TBH he probably didnt need to be brought out of work at all I just did it just incase.

Im sure you will notice if it gets worse, then you may have to reasess the situation. I am sure he will be fine though.

 

[Nari]

Thanks vicm2509, that was what I thought particularly with it being a hind leg so taking slightly less weight than a fore. I wondered if roads might be pushing it a bit concussion wise but thought the change of scenery might stop him getting bored!
I only had the vet out because it's so unusual for a splint to be on a hind leg it made us wonder if it was something more serious. I should have trusted my judgement & saved myself some money

 

[samp]

It is always hard wehn you have a lively horse. I would try to get him in work as soon as you can. if he is not in pain and there is no pain on palpation he should be fine (monitor it, don't take him out for too long and gradually build up the length)

 

[Nari]

Thanks samp, that's what I'd planned to do. Obviously any pain or heat & he'll be rested, I don't want to make matters worse but I'm just not sure rest is the answer for him.