Splints on show shetlands/ponies

[galacasinoking]

Well I have had to unfortunatley put my lovely little mini shetland up for sale due to a number of a reasons. He was bred to be in the show ring, however I have not taken him due to no horsebox. I found a small splint on each leg today (he is only 2!) Can he still be sold as a show pony or are potential buyers going to be put off? He is totally sound and they dont cause him problems. You cant see them if you look at his legs either.

 

[varkie]

How very unusual - I'm not sure I've ever come across splints on a shetland. I don't mean to be insulting, but are you absolutely sure they are splints?

I'm afraid that if I were looking for a shetland to show, I would definitely be feeling it's legs, not just looking at them, and if it had splints, I wouldn't buy it. I'd want clean legs for the show ring.

 

[galacasinoking]

well they feel like splints. pea sized hard lumps on the insides of both forelegs above the fetlock. could they be anything else? hes just so young to have them

 

[TarrSteps]

They could be the ends of his splint bones - some horses have/develop "knobs" on the end of the bone which are quite noticeable. If they are bilateral (both legs) at the same place, cold and hard, and he's not showing any discomfort on moving or palpation, it's quite a likely guess.

For showing, I can't say, sorry. Splints are an issue for show horses in North America (different sorts of classes, same idea) and really hard core show producers have them treated/taken off but it's possible to make the situation worse/more obvious by messing with them. Anyway, that doesn't really sound the situation with your fellow.

 

[Orchardbeck]

Hi, my mini shetland developed splints as a youngster because she used to trot alongside everyone who walked with her and jump poles and logs - they were just as you'd described - hot pea like lumps on the inside of the cannon bones, but hers were below the knee rather than the fetlock. She wasn't lame with them, and they solidified with time- splints actually make the bones stronger but unfortunately aren't desireable for show animals, and we stopped showing her as a result.

However but there is nothing to stop them becoming a riding pony or going in a trap - that's what we did with her. Can you invest some time in yours before you sell it? The other alternative is as a companion horse.