Splints again!

C

cluedo

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 August 2007
Messages
668
Visit site
What is your view on splints. I've got a horse for sale that has 2 splints in front. Passed a 5 stage vetting with xrays of the splints 6 weeks ago with no probs. 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.

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?
 
My boy has them on all 4 legs, and he has done a fair bit of work the past 3 years - including lots of jumping, galloping and road work and they haven't once bothered him or stopped him from doing anything, or even been that noticeable to the touch. But then he is made of Teflon and a bit of a ruffian!
 
i've found that large splints don't cause many problems (as long as the horse doesn't kick them, if they're on the inside) whereas the tiny splints the size of a pea can be a major nuisance, as, depending on where they are, they can rub on the tendons.
splints re-form and flatten over time, and i've known them to almost disappear. i've also had them come up on a horse that had done no work at all, and certainly no work on the hard.
very frustrating. they wouldn't put me off much, tbh.
 
The splints have been xrayed and no hint of fracture and vet has said minimal inflammation showing, and he has never been lame on them. There's a bit of heat still, but they are going down. I just have never read they can cause ongoing problems, especially if doing dressage to advanced.
 
I too have had a horse with a splint fracture, but that wouldn't make me overly nervous about a horse with splints. So long as they have been investigated and are not too close to the knee or pressing on the soft tissue, they should be fine. They can take some time to settle, that's all.

Lots and lots of dressage horses have splints. Have a look at the pictures in H&H. If you look closely at them you can often make out a splint.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top