Splint on a 2yo?

Foxford

Foxford

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Whilst giving my horse a groom last night I noticed what looked like a splint on the inside of his near fore. It already feels reasonably hard, but I hadn't noticed it before as it is quite hidden and he has shown no signs of lameness.

I know young horses are prone to them, but I've had him for 6 months and all he has done with me are a couple of groundwork sessions on a very good surface, and a few short walks out in-hand, on farm tracks.

I'm guessing he has brushed it because of the location, even though he doesn't have shoes on. Does anyone have any experiences of horses this young with a splint? I'd call the vet if he was unsound/in pain but I wasn't sure they'd be able to treat it with anything. Happy to be proven wrong!
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Mine threw a splint as a 2yo, a year later it had pretty much reabsorbed.
Was a little lame for a while but I happily ignored it and certainly didn't bother the vets
 
Yes I'd agree with the others; it's fairly common for youngsters to throw splints due to their whizzing around fields at breakneck speed and trying to stop in a nanosecond. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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Thanks everyone. It's still sore to touch so I hope some of it is still a bit of swelling. Just as I thought things were going so well...
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Mustn't grumble!
 
Horses can get what is called Grass Splints, these are formed because all the weight is on the front legs when grazing constantly, usually in a youngster! they tend to settle after a while especially once shoeing is in progress but don't always disappear.
 
That's interesting, he is quite croup high at the moment and has been for a few weeks. I suppose that won't help them. Ah well, never mind - he seems happy enough.
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my yearling has a hard lump an the vet said that he could of knocked him self when playing in the field or from when a horse un shod kicked him, and the vet said it should disapear in hte next year or so. hope this helps x
 
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