Removed splint

[Beckyboo98]

In July 2012 my 15.2hh welsh sec D mare, was kicked in her back left lower leg, she could not walk on it at all and had an operation which included the vets taking her splint bone out completely, as it was broken in three parts, she was on box rest until The end of august then was being walking around a field to slightly exercise it, she recovered really well. It's only been the past week or so my farrier has told me that she is extremely stiff in that leg, I have also been finding that when I am picking out that particular foot she will not lift but point her toe to the ground and put a lot of weight on it, she has also been extremely stiff on it, she is 18 now so I am not going on fast rides and or workin her too much, I am doing little and often and light work, but nothing seems to be working, she doesn't seem to be in pain, hence why I haven't called the vet, she is extremely bouncy and trying to go a lot faster all the time when I am riding, I do stretch all legs before I ride. Any suggestions which will help me get her supple again, she isn't lame just slightly stiff but as I can feel it I want her to feel normal again, thanks in advance

 

[AmyMay]

I would get the vet just to give her a little exam to make sure everything is ok. It might be that she has some arthritic changes, and that a course of Danillon might help. You could also look at a good suppliment to support her.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

In July 2012 my 15.2hh welsh sec D mare, was kicked in her back left lower leg, she could not walk on it at all and had an operation which included the vets taking her splint bone out completely, as it was broken in three parts, she was on box rest until The end of august then was being walking around a field to slightly exercise it, she recovered really well. It's only been the past week or so my farrier has told me that she is extremely stiff in that leg, I have also been finding that when I am picking out that particular foot she will not lift but point her toe to the ground and put a lot of weight on it, she has also been extremely stiff on it, she is 18 now so I am not going on fast rides and or workin her too much, I am doing little and often and light work, but nothing seems to be working, she doesn't seem to be in pain, hence why I haven't called the vet, she is extremely bouncy and trying to go a lot faster all the time when I am riding, I do stretch all legs before I ride. Any suggestions which will help me get her supple again, she isn't lame just slightly stiff but as I can feel it I want her to feel normal again, thanks in advance

first of all sorry to hear she got kicked.

In 95 my mare of a lifetime got kicked on her hind leg below hock just (due to new yard not separating new horses). One small 5 pence piece hole was all there was to show it. I treated it all weekend but come Sunday it was still trickling blood, so called vet who arrived and put her finger in the hole and straight away said I can feel bone. X ray showed splint bone shattered 19 pieces (I still have the pieces).


She had surgery and it was touch and go to whether infection would get into the hock, fortunately it did not. She was on box rest for 2-3 months then allowed out. Due to yard not separating new horses she went out and got kicked over injury sight so came back inside.
Over the next month she got kicked once on her bum and once again on injury sight and I said enough enough she will stay on box rest till we move here.

This is why ALL new horses are separated for a week till they join in, sorry for rambling.

My mare experience a lot of inflammation in this leg which remained but never caused problems in the future. Your horse maybe stiff in that leg for a while.


This is what I would do if she were mine:


Get a good joint supplement like flexijoint (reviews from H&H members in my site in sig)
keep the joint warm in winter
do as your doing a lot of walk exercise with small hills building up to big ones.
I would leave canter out for the moment, do large circles keep away from boggy spots.
maybe get her to a equine pool or spa
also maybe some hands on over the joint
and some acupuncture to help blood in area.
maybe leave her BF for a while.

you could also exercise the joint with your own hands, hold it and manipulate it in large circles gently to loosen it up.

 

[Goldenstar]

Worth checking that the scar has not adhered and stuck ,that can cause stiffness.
ACPAT physio's ( who have trained with humans first ) are good at this .