Splint opinions please

[cluedo]

What is your view on splints. I've got a horse for sale that has 2 large splints in front about 3 months old. Passed a 5 stage vetting with xrays of the splints 6 weeks ago with no probs, vet said they showed minimal inflammation. Vet just said still a bit warmth in there but take it easy with him, treat them with cold therapy and they will settle nicely. No hint of them being by the knee or tendons, and horse has never been lame.

Decided to sell him and a client took a video to show her vet and the vet said that in his opinion splints can cause problems in their training - he is a dressage horse and being sold as such, and therefore he cannot advise buying a horse with splints.

This seems contrary to anything I have read.

Opinions anyone?

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn't buy a horse with an active splint I'm afraid - especially a competition animal.

 

[Tempi]

Second Amymay, i wouldnt buy a horse with an active splint.

However, i bought Archie with a splint - his was 6months old tho, and he had never been lame on it. Vet knew i bought him with the aim for Grand Prix dressage on him, and he passed a 5 stage no problems. Hes since through another splint on the other leg which has never caused him any problems either.

Splints can make some horses lame, and others they wont.

 

[Halfstep]

(have answered in the Lounge as well)


If the splints are still active, rest the horse! Or they will get massive. Rest him for a bit longer, then re-advertise.

Cold, formed splints that have been x-rayed and are not impinging on any soft tissue wouldn't bother me.

 

[lucym]

we bought a horse with a small inactive splint, passed 5 stage vetitng and vet didnt seem concered. he has since developed another one, and it did cause him some dicomfort, but plenty of ice has done the trick (fingers crossed and touch wood).

becuase the split was small we bought him, but i wouldnt buy a horse with a large splint, just in case, and there are plenty more fish in the sea so to speak.