Splint close to knee - would you buy?

[Delta99]

Hi,
I'm considering buying a 6 yr old mare that is currently unbacked due to having bred 2 foals. She has a splint just below the knee, not huge but noticeable.
It looks like it's been there for some time but I'm a bit concerned as I am planning to use this horse for riding, so there would be a lot more stress on the legs than she has previously experienced.

Is it possible that this splint would start to change again with the extra work? Obviously the mare is sound at the moment and the splint isn't causing a problem but I'm just concerned that it might get bigger once the mare starts to work under saddle and might then cause problems in the knee??

I know this can't be predicted, I'm just asking for opinions before I go all out and have the mare vetted...

Thanks a lot

 

[Keenjean]

most splints are absolutely fine and purely cosmetic and unless u were planning on showing this horse wouldnt really be a problem!

If your worried call the vets you would intend on getting it vetted with and they should give you some advice! Obviously, getting it vetted would be the only way to really know but most splits dont cause any problems.

 

[eventer28]

How long has the splint been on the leg? One of my horses popped 2 splints, one on each leg, below the knee as a 4yo. He has great hoof and leg confo and was only doing gentle hacking so we were shocked to see the splints. He was never lame, was successfully shown at county level. The winter of his 4th year he was turned away and the splints reduced greatly.. Over this winter he has popped another tiny splint on the outside of his front offside leg, they dont worry me in the slightest. Get the horse well vetted and dont worry about a splint

 

[Alexart]

I wouldn't worry about a splint at all, unless the horse has a glaring conformational reason for one, it could have been a knock, so no it wouldn't put me off at all. They never cause a problem, the horse may be a bit sore for a few days while one is forming but once formed they are basically a reinforcement.