Splints :-(

asommerville

asommerville

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For probably the first time ever I didn’t bandage gingers back legs whilst I was riding. He was a numpty and was jumping about and I think has bumped himself. Now has what looks like a splint on a back leg, he was lame on it for one day and is now sound though it is still warm. This happened 3 days ago, his leg seemed to cool down and then was warm again this morning. I have been hosing it 2/3 times a day since then.

As it has been a couple of days I have arranged time off my work and phoned the vet, however various people have been telling me all sorts of things – as they do 

Am I doing the right thing keeping him in and hosing it? Other people have said put him out in the field and just wait till it sorts itself out but I am really paranoid about everything!! I know the vet is coming but I’m still sitting in work worrying about it!
 
When my horse Ffin got a chain splint on his off fore, 3 bumps long, I was really upset. My vet said just to turn him out and leave him until they stop hurting. Mine was through him being kicked. I'm pretty sure leaving off a bandage once will not have caused this splint. They come from repetitive concussion or a blow. From what my farrier said some horses have thinner splint bones and are more prone. Unless very close to a joint, once it bones up it will not cause any issues. Once a horse is about 14 the splint bones fuse and are then less prone to splints.
This is what I was told and so far it has been proved correct. Don't beat yourself up, you can't wrap them in cotton wool and he might have even done it in the field. :)
 
Don't box rest! You don't want the bony developments to calcify in specific spots!

Turn out until it stops swelling, use splintex or DMSO or whatever is recommended these days.

Splints can disappear on their own over time.
 
Splints are not a big deal and most have them, cold hose, bute if unsound or lots of filling, give time off will be right as rain, but he probably just banged himself quite hard, does he wear shoes, check there is bo nick which could be causing the heat and filling.
 
thanks folks, he doesnt wear shoes and is sound think he bumped himself acting like a muppet! i think its a wee bit smaller than than it was and feels more solid so swelling going down, its just warm
 
Sounds like it will heal nicely and eventually go away.

Mine had a massive one last year... still feel it a bit but has gone down quite a lot.
 
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