Splint advice please

[CharlesMax]

I have noticed a small splint appear on my 17.2hh 10 year-old. It is very small and not anywhere near the knee area. He is not lame on it but it is sensitive to touching and prodding. I am very paranoid about this as my last horse was off work for 6 months with a splint, although it was near the knee and causing tendon isues.

I am icing the splint and bandaging it overnight and keeping him in for now. Can anyone suggest how a manage this splint if he is not lame oin it? Can I continue work on a surface?

Also - why would a 10 y/o develop small splints at this age? I have been very careful with him and don't do lots of trotting on hard surfaces, etc.....

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlackRider]

Are he feet balanced properly? this can be a reason for splints.

I'd work him gently if not in pain, but if the splint gets any worse then rest.

 

[cellie]

My youngster has just developed one.Im cold hosing keeping in during day with restricted t/o at night and have treated with danilon for couple of days. I think ours occurred from driver starting his car up behind us which caused him to jump and slam his front feet own.
I havent bandaged as I want to keep leg cool but might be wrong !!!My boy is lame and sore Im waiting for vet to ring

 

[Loubidy]

Both my pony and my horse have splints and were never lame with them. They take a while to settle but don't necessarily put your horse out of work, just try and avoid hard ground.

 

[Tnavas]

Are you sure it's a splint and not just the bump at the end of the splint bone? Rest and cold hosing are the best to keep a splint from getting larger.

Some say rubbing lemon into the splint works well.

 

[Birker2020]

Confirmation issues can cause splints, as can incorrect hoof balance.

My horse got splints being turned out in a paddock on a steep hill in the summer when teh ground was very hard and he used to come galloping down the hill to me.

Another thing is that horses sometimes get splints on opposite legs, so if he has one on his near fore he will most likely get another on his off fore.

Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splints