Splints - any advice please?

[Purdey33]

Approx 2 weeks ago I took on a beautiful TB mare form a rehoming centre. She has a wonderful temperment and, despite being 18+ yrs old has lots of life and energy. She is in lovely condition and only rehomed due to being too lively for her previous owners.

The problem is, after two little hacks she is lame :( I have noticed a splint on the inside of her cannon bone - don't know if it has arrived since I had her, but am thinking it could be the cause of her lameness (getting vet out this week to check her).

Does anybody have any information on splints please? And what I can do to protect her from any further splints? Thanks

[SarahC]

Hi there...

your mare sounds lovely. I can only tell what I know about the splint on my mare's leg and the one my friends horse got.

Anyway, when my mare first got her splint, it was warm to the touch, which I believe means they are not yet fully formed and have recently popped. Once formed, they form a hard lump. My mare wasn't lame or unsound at all with hers.
My friends horse however, had to go on box rest when he threw his first splint. Same heat etc, but he was very lame.

What is the splint like that your girl has? Is it warm and soft or hard and normal temp?

S

[Purdey33]

Hi Sarah, thanks for the response.

The lump is hard and there is no heat. Don't know if it was there before or after she came to me :confused:

[helenc]

If it is hard & cold then I doubt it is new. Also at 18 it would be rare - they usually happen between the ages of 2 & 8 but there are obviously exceptions to the rule.

However, she could have knocked an already formed splint & she could be in a little pain from that.

Does she have any swelling/heat/lumps/bumps/cuts etc anywhere else on her lame leg? Have you given her feet a good look over?

[Purdey33]

Thanks.

Vet came today and discovered she has hurt the bottom of her hoof and now has an infection :( Possibly stepped on something which has gone inside.

So not the splint I thought but bad news :(

[helenc]

At least you know what it is now, I'm sure she will be fine with a bit of TLC

[SarahC]

Hiya...at least you know now...hope she heals quickly.

S