All about splints
Splints manifest themselves as swellings and bony enlargements located on the splint bones on both forelegs
and hindlegs of horses.
on one or more legs. In most cases, this gives us no cause for concern and the horse performs normally with no
adverse consequences,” Veterinary Partner Linda Belton explains on their website. “However, in certain cases,
a splint can cause long-term chronic lameness and they are also considered a significant blemish in the show-
ring.”
The splint bones on inside and outside of the cannon bone are largely non-weightbearing. The splint bones are
attached to the cannon bone by the interosseus ligament, and tearing of this ligament through either internal
trauma such as fast exercise, or external trauma, such as a fracture of the splint bone, results in inflammation
in the ligament, which leads to proliferative bone growth and a hard lump on the cannon bone.
Here are some top tips for prevention of splints
? Avoid excessive concussion and strain, especially with young horses
? Maintain hooves properly
? Feed nutritionally balanced feed and forage, especially to young horses
Treatment
Here at Clippersharp, we recommend a topical product called
‘Splintex’.
Fresh splints are best treated topically with Silver Splintex and gauze or cotton bandage. (Leg brush included
when this is purchased.) Elimination of the fresh splint may occur as early as three five day cycles, although
some cases require additional treatment. Horses with hot splints should receive complete rest, with exercise
limited to hand walking.
Cold splints are best treated topically with Gold Splintex, with bandaging optional. (Leg brush included when
purchased). At approximately 20 days into treatment, the enlargements appear to flatten, with dramatic
reduction of the
splint as early as 30 days. Treatment should be continued to achieve complete
elimination. Horses with cold splints may follow their daily routines without interruption, unless lameness is
present.
Silver: 30ml
Formulated for hot splints. Fresh splints may typically be seen up to 60 days after initial
appearance. Important: Allow the horse total rest; total treatment time may be 15 days, or 3 five day cycles.
Gold: 60ml
Formulated for cold splints and other indications such as capped hocks, sesamoiditis and early
ringbone. Interruption to the horse’s daily routine is usually not required. Total treatment time may be in
excess of 30 days.
