[insideturn12]

I have a 12 yo warmblood mare that I have been showing in the low aos since the summer. She is truly incredible. She has managed to pop a splint on the outside of her back left leg. This must've happened recently, the groom just noticed it but it is rather obvious now if you look at it.

She's not lame (at least as of yesterday). I jumped her and she was sound and willing. We ordered Splintex I believe it is called.

Any input on this? Should I be worried?

Thanks!

[Lauren12]

She probably whacked her leg on something (pole, edge of stall door or whatever). It's usually recommended to bute 2g/day for a week, give 1-2 weeks off to let the inflammation subside, and apply topical steroid leg paint or Surpass until it's firm, cold and hard.

[SuckerForHorses]

Once a splint is cold and hard, you're good to go. My gelding has a splint on the inside of both fronts, and they passed a PPE and have never been an issue. They don't bother him in the least, and he's 100% sound.

[SuckerForHorses]

I think the only "problem" is when a young halter horse gets them because its a "blemish"

[Lauren12]

I think the only "problem" is when a young halter horse gets them because its a "blemish"

They can actually cause problems!! If they extend axially they may impinge upon the suspensory ligament if they are quite swollen (bad), and at that point may require surgical removal. If the splint bone has any kind of a fracture you can get exuberant callus formation that can cause suspensory ligament desmitis. So, typically they ARE just blemishes, but not always!

[ybiaw]

Ice, ice baby! It'll be fine.

[jetsmom]

I've never heard of a splint fracture on the outside of the leg...I think that's pretty uncommon.
Jet got kicked on the outside of his hind leg as a 3 yr old, and it swelled a little, but then formed a calcium deposit. So he has a small bump there, but it never caused any problems.So I guess that could have been a splint fracture/bruise.