Splints

[FFF]

The horse that I am going to look at, at the weekend has a splint, and has had it ever since he was very young.



Could anyone please tell me, if it will limit the work he can do/and how is a splint caused?



Sorry that I seem dumb, Ive never had a horse with a splint before

 

[Halfstep]

if you've never had a horse with a splint before you either haven't had very many or have been very lucky!

If the splint has been present for a long time and isn't bothering the horse it should not cause any problems at all.

A "splint" is calcification or bony enlargement of of the area between the splint bone and cannon bone. Once they are formed they are hard and pain free, and basically the splint bone becomes fused to the cannon bone, making any further problems unlikely. They are caused by any number of things - hard ground (concussion), minor trauma, hoof imbalance, or just plain bad luck. An old splint is nothing to worry about at all.

 

[FFF]

Thank you

 

[Grey_Eventer]

not if it is unreactive. which it probably is.
basically if its had it sicne it was young it was probably overworked before the bones were properly grown so it had to fuse to the cannon bone, the splint bone did(not quite sure)... there are other causes but this is one of the most common as they fuse so they can take the pressure etc., but if it is unreactive and as it has had it evern since it was young it most likely is then no, is shouldnt affect its performance. my last pony got one when he was 12 for some reason and once wed sorted it out he was absolutley fine, never affected him after had been sorted out.
good luck!
dont let it put you off!
i presume you will get it vetted though, as if it is a concern of the vets probably not best to buy as can be a complete pain to sort out.

 

[crazyponys]

i think splints are pointed out at a vetting but dont think theyd fail a vetting due to it ?
or do they ?