Track system + hills = splint

MiniMilton

MiniMilton

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I set up a track system. I selected a field that was hilly and adjoining forestry so it would be increased exercise and have a natural vibe to it. I put a huge amount of time, money and effort into it and now my best horse has a splint. He's 8. Not barefoot. In assuming its from charging up and down the hills. I now have him in a small flattish paddock. I'm feeling very disheartened. Do I need to start all over again and pick a flat field?!
 
No ,horses sometimes get splints for lots of reasons a blow the leg can cause one , unbalanced shoeing caused one in one of mine he was ten .
Things with horses just happen sometimes .
 
They do just happen sometimes. My (at the time) 4 year old developed one when she was turned away to do growong before beginning work. Just found it one day, no lameness or anything. Unless you are doing high level showing or it is in such a place that its causing lameness then it's really not an issue and wont affect the horse
 
I'm not too concerned about the splint at the moment, but I am worried I was a little over enthusiastic about the hills on my track! I don't want injuries to become the norm for me. There are sections that are fairly steep.

How long should I give him off work? The splint is reasonably small, not much heat. He's not limping as such but I thought he was looking a bit "footie" and then I spotted the splint. Just as I was preparing for a show tomorrow. Typical...
 
tbh no idea how long, or if he should be off work - my mares was just there one day with no heat or lameness and she was out of work to do some growing anyway. Maybe have a chat with the vet - doesn't cost to have a phone conversation with them
 
Rest until the lameness is gone. Then bring back into work slowly with a fitness programme and make sure he's fairly fit including hill work before you turn him out there again if he's likely to run around. Mine went from a flat field to a steep hill recently and I gave him a week off, followed by a week of light work before returning to normal, purely because he looked tired and was dragging his feet. Your horses splint may go down in time.
 
My cob who has just moved to a new home today :( threw a huge splint, no lameness nothing. We had just done our first show on the Sunday and by Friday there it was overnight from nothing to huge. I turned him away for 7 months, it went down a little but not enough to show him properly, one reason for his new home :(
 
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