Splint advice please?

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gloster_image

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I bought Rock when he was rising 4years and he already had splints which had healed and were not dangerous according to the vet - these have completely disappeared over the last 3years.
However, I took him XC schooling on saturday. Brought him back and didn't notice anything then, did my usual stuff and turned him out in the field. Went up yesterday to check on him and he had a massive splint - it's definately the splint bone on the outside of his near fore - solid just bigger than a pea size, I have no doubt it's a splint.
However, it has no heat in it what so ever and hes not lame, and it's not tender (though of course will keep a close eye on it).
What would you suggest for treatment? Should he have time off work and if so how long? I'm prob going to ask the vet for advice anyway but thought I would ask on here too.
 
If it is cold and non reactive (flex the leg and squeeze it, does he pull back?) then I'd just take it easy for a week or so. If it is reactive I'd cold hose, ice etc, and probably talk to the vet who might give you some DMSO and cortisone.

Sounds like he has strained the interosseous ligament causing more bone to be laid down. It probably will never bother him.
 
We had special pads put under the shoes of our show pony as he had huge splints on his front legs....They have helped to reduce vibrations as he moves and the splints still seem to be going down....Its just a case of time and patience i think more than anything.
 
Thanks. He has pads on his front feet anyway as a series of bad shoeings while I was away working lead to the heels dropping. Will keep a close eye on it but if its non reactive and not hot he can stay in work?
 
Don't see why not, although it might be worth taking it easy for a week or so - i.e. keep him on a surface and maybe lay off the jumping. A splint is a symptom of an injury to the bone or the ligament, what you are feeling is calcification. You want to make sure it is absolutely hardened or it could get bigger.
 
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