The splint - the leg!!

[Christmas Crumpet]

Leg felt better this morning although whatever the long squidgy thing running down the leg was was still up (hopefully enlarged vein) but not as prominent. Leg with splint slightly warmer to touch than clean other leg. It went down completely once he'd been walked out to the field.

Here's the thing though - he's not lame on it at all. He doesn't react in anyway when splint is pressed very hard or poked or even squeezed. The actual splint is hard although can be a tiny bit squidgy on top some days - its pretty small. Big pea size lump half way down splint bone which appeared after a day's hunting without boots. It can also be warmer than the other leg some days but other days exactly the same. The splint feels bigger after exercise but I'm putting that down to the fact that both his legs are cold and hard after exercise.

We carried on as normal because he wasn't lame on it but I was slightly suspicious yesterday because of the enlarged vein running down the leg to the splint. He had yesterday off and will have today and tomorrow off in the field to let it settle down a bit.

How long does he need before I know splint has settled? What would happen if he was still ridden when it was active? What sort of exercise irritates it etc. Sorry for all questions but seeing as he's only 4 I want to get it right!! The horses I normally have already have settled splints!!

 

[Equestrian92]

Mine is 5 and he had a huge splint! But again, wasnt lame at all.
Left him in for 2 weeks with stable bangdages on front legs, walked him for 5-10 mins 2-3 times a day.
My field is right next to my stables so to stop him getting annoyed I just let him have a little grass the next week but still only for ten minutes in hand.
The splint has gone down so much, hope this helps.

 

[cptrayes]

I'm so pleased. "long squidgy thing" is certainly the vein, so the only worry now is why it's up. It could be the splint a little inflamed but not enough to lame him, or it could be an infection or bruise in the foot. Either way it doesn't sound like much to worry about.

Splints are fine to ride with if they aren't lame. Your only real risk with it is that it may end up bigger if you do than it would if you don't. If he's not for showing, it doesn't really matter.

If he goes lame with it then he may need a month off for it to harden. Where it is, it sounds like a knock type splint (done from the outside) rather than a splint caused by disturbing the membrane between the cannon bone and the splint bone. Hopefully that will never make him lame at all.

 

[cptrayes]

ps I've had a dozen horses throw splints, both kinds. I had to rest one once for four weeks as it was a bad one and would not harden off when she was kept in work, but other than that, no real issues at all except cosmetic.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Guess he'll be hunting next sat then!! Have decided to not go this Sat or next Tues to let it settle but will exercise him but no hammering down road!! Thanks for advice - hugely appreciated.