Splints - do you keep working a horse or rest it?

[Slinkyunicorn]

I know nothing about splints etc but just wondered. It is not either of my horses but one at our yard who is clearly lame and since about Wed last week owner has said its a splint - and has kept riding it. Has finally taken it to the vet today - after she had hacked out in walk and put it on the lunge where it is clearly lame. Horse is an ex racer, 4 yrs old and been off track 2 months - is being cantered a lot in circles as she wants it to do dressage......

Owner is maintaining it should be walked while it is forming.

Anyone??

 

[loubee]

Rest it, definately. Turn the horse away for 3 months and do nothing with it. When you bring it back into work, not only should it be sound, it should also have matured a little.

 

[CrazyMare]

Rest, and avoid hard surfaces.

 

[f_s_]

NO!!! Mine had a splint and had a month off, then gradual work in straight lines to start off with, gradually building up to work again.

Splints need time to solidify, if you see what I mean!!

Also, I wouldn't be riding a lame horse!!!

 

[Puppy]

Rest - in the field, not box rest.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Mmmm - you are all confirming what my gut feeling would be - ie rest and no work. Sadly for this horse I doubt she will listen and will be back on board asap

.........won't be told by anyone as she is always right

 

[Daffodil]

My boy was never lame with his but I didn't want to aggravate anything, so he had a couple of weeks off and then just straight line walking, no trotting, and even now, about 8 months later I'm very careful about the surface I work on.

 

[PapaFrita]

Definitely rest a new splint (I'd opt for field rest). I could sort of get my head around someone continuing to exercise a horse with a splint if the horse were sound, but a LAME horse... surely a no-brainer!

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

Here this article tells you what they are,how they occur and how they are treated-

web page

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

Woops I just realised that you said it wasn't your own horse - maybe you can print the article for them.

 

[Annagain]

Hopefully vet will tell her to rest it and she might listen to him seeing as she's paid for his advice.