The splint bones are two very slender, splinter-like bones that begin under the horse’s knee and travel down the back of the cannon bone. At their top/knee end, splints have a knob-like head, with the bone beneath gradually tapering down until it is very slender at the end.
Full Answer
What is a horse splint?
A horse splint is a tearing or strain on the ligaments that glue the splint bones to the cannon bones. The splint bones are two slender bones that surround the cannon bone.
How can you tell if a horse has a splint bone?
The lower end of the splint bone has a small pea-like “button” which can be felt through the horse’s skin. In most horses the interosseous ligament gradually changes with age as the splint bones fuse to the cannon bone at around three to four years. This process is normal and has no clinical signs.
What are the medial and lateral splint bones in a horse?
The medial and lateral splint bones are the remains of the second and fourth digit of the horse’s five-toed prehistoric ancestor. Digits one and five disappeared during evolution, while two and four become splint bones, with the middle digit forming the weight-bearing cannon bone.
What does it mean when a horse Poops a splint?
These enlargements, often referred to as the horse “popping a splint” because the splint bone looks larger on the leg, indicate that the area has been inflamed. Most splint problems are easily seen as a swelling along the course of the splint bone.
How do I know if my horse has splints?
Pain, swelling, heat, and lameness are the signs of a splint problem. Treatment is aimed at keeping the horse comfortable and allowing the injured ligament or bone to heal.
How do you treat a splint on a horse?
Best treatment for splints in horses Modern technologies in veterinary medicine, have allowed owners to treat horse splints with Commonly Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are prescribed such as Bute. Topical Anti inflammatories ointments may also provide relief for most horses and stop further irritation.
Do splints in horses go away?
Most horses with splints recover and return to work. Once in a while a horse may develop a callus around a splint bone fracture that damages the ligaments running behind the cannon bone. In this case, the horse may need surgery to remove part of the splint bone. These horses are at greater risk of long-term lameness.
What does it mean if a horse has a splint?
'Splints' refer to a hard, bony swelling that appears on the inside (or occasionally outside) of the horse's lower leg. They are caused by damage to the splint bones or the ligament between the splint and cannon bone. Although they can occur at any age, they are common in younger horses in training.
What are 4 types of splints?
Commonly Used Splints and CastsArea of injuryType of splintForearm/wristVolar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tongElbow/forearmLong arm posterior, double sugar-tongKneePosterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizerTibia/fibulaPosterior ankle (mid-shaft and distal fractures), bulky Jones3 more rows•Sep 1, 2009
Do splints cause lameness?
For the most part, splints are cosmetic blemishes that don't interfere with a horse's long-term athletic ability. However, some can result in significant lameness, especially in the immediate injury period or, in rare cases, where there is impingement of the suspensory ligament.
Do splint boots help horses?
Brush boots or splint boots are usually worn on the front legs and help prevent the horse from hitting itself during hard work. Brush boots can be used on the hind legs as well.
Where is the splint bone on a horse?
On each side of the cannon bone is a long narrow bone known as the splint bone. The splint bones start at the knee and taper as they descend on either side of the cannon bone, each ending in a small knob about two-thirds of the way to the ankle (Figure 1).
What does DMSO do for horses?
DMSO draws fluid from tissues, making it helpful in treating edema or preventing stocking up. It can draw fluid from the lungs of a horse with pulmonary edema or reduce swelling of the spinal cord and brain in horses affected by diseases like West Nile.
How do you treat bowed tendons in horses?
Bowed tendons vary in severity, but complete healing takes a long time. Clinical signs may resolve within days if you rest the horse and give anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. Bute)....TreatmentComplete rest.Controlled, gradual return to exercise.Anti-inflammatory drugs.Sometimes surgery.
What causes a horse to have a splint?
Fractures of the splint bone, which are most common in young horses, can also lead to the formation of a splint. Kicks and infected wounds can also cause fractures along the splint bone. There are also some fractures of the distal or thinner lower end of the splint bone that are associated with excess bending of the fetlock, due to weakening of the suspensory ligament caused by desmitis.
What causes splints in horses?
A true splint occurs when the interosseous ligament becomes damaged, leading to soft tissue inflammation and lameness with heat, pain and swelling in the area between the splint bone and cannon bones.As the acute inflammation settles and healing proceeds, new bone is laid down in this area, eventually forming a hard, non-painful lump, the size of which depends on the degree of original damage.This is the splint, which will reduce in size over time, but is unlikely to disappear. The new bone stabilises the source of irritation by forming a bridge between the digits.
How long does it take for a horse's interosseous ligament to fuse?
In most horses the interosseous ligament gradually changes with age as the splint bones fuse to the cannon bone at around three to four years. This process is normal and has no clinical signs.
What are the bones of a horse?
The medial and lateral splint bones are the remains of the second and fourth digit of the horse’s five-toed prehistoric ancestor. Digits one and five disappeared during evolution, while two and four become splint bones, with the middle digit forming the weight-bearing cannon bone.
Why do horses get splints?
Poor conformation, mineral imbalance in the diet, excessive weight of horse or rider, concussion associated with work on hard and uneven going, and unbalanced hooves can all lead to splints forming.
Can a horse return to work after a splint?
Once the splint has finished forming, most horses are able to return to work and suffer no on-going problems from a splint, although they can be unsightly and may be considered a significant blemish, particularly in show horses. If the swelling is reduced surgically, there is a high chance of recurrence in operated horses.
Can a vet X-ray a splint?
The diagnosis of a simple splint is usually achieved on clinical signs, but your vet may wish to X-ray, or much less commonly, use other imaging techniques, if complications, such as a fracture, are suspected.
Why do horses have splints?
In young horses, a splint is a frequent occurrence when training and exercise increase too rapidly. Although the horse has eight splint bones, two on each leg, those on the insides of the forelegs are most commonly affected because they are subject to the most strain. Too much exercise, excessive speed work, longeing in small circles, or any activity that involves twisting or pivoting on a foreleg can lead to irritation.
How to treat a splint in a horse?
Training and performance must be put on hold, and a veterinarian will often prescribe rest, either in a stall or in a restricted turn-out area, for several weeks or months until the inflammation resolves. Applying ice packs or hosing with cold water will help to reduce swelling and pain in a fresh splint. Pain medications and anti-inflammatories like bute may be prescribed. The use of topical ointments and counterirritants has not been proven to be advantageous, and use of blistering agents can lead to increased discomfort and scarring.
What is the interosseous ligament in a horse?
In young horses, the interosseous ligament lying between the cannon bone and each splint bone is fairly elastic. In older horses, these ligaments harden and calcify, eventually turning the three separate bones into one.
Why do horses splint themselves?
Because no one wants to admit a horse has been pushed to the point of injury, some owners tend to blame the horse: “He popped that splint himself, just running out in the field.” While it’s not impossible for horses to injure themselves in the course of playing or racing around with their buddies, the majority of splints in young horses can probably be traced to the stress of training. A truly accidental cause is a kick from another horse, frequently on the outside of the lower leg that fractures the splint bone. Signs (pain, heat, and swelling) are similar to those of an interosseous ligament tear. Fracture of a splint bone can also be caused by the extreme stress involved in high-level performance.
Why is my splint lingering?
Lingering trouble can occur when the calcification associated with a healed splint is in a position to irritate the suspensory ligament, which runs along the splint bone. Surgery is sometimes necessary to resolve the problem. Also, splints involving the upper part of the bone may be troublesome because the top of the splint bone forms part of the knee joint.
Why does my horse kick me on the outside of my leg?
A truly accidental cause is a kick from another horse, frequently on the outside of the lower leg that fractures the splint bone. Signs (pain, heat, and swelling) are similar to those of an interosseous ligament tear. Fracture of a splint bone can also be caused by the extreme stress involved in high-level performance.
What does it mean when a horse pops a splint?
In young horses, a splint is a frequent occurrence when training and exercise increase too rapidly.
What is the splint bone on a horse?
Splints in Horses. Most people who own or breed horses are familiar with the cannon bone of the horse limb. On each side of the cannon bone is a small bone known as the splint bone. The small splint bones are thin and taper to become a small knob about two-thirds of the way down the cannon bone (Figure 1). Right forelimb of horse (caudal view).
How old do horses get splints?
Splints usually occur in horses 2 to 5 years old. Most often it is the forelimbs that are affected. Splints rarely occur in the hind legs. In older horses, the splint bones are fused solidly to the cannon bone.
Which bone bears more weight?
When the weight is transmitted to these bones, the medial splint bone probably bears more weight than the lateral splint bone. Therefore, the ligament between the medial splint bone and the cannon bone is subjected to more stress than the outer ligament. Left forelimb of horses (medial view).
Where is the ligament located in a horse?
A ligament, located between the cannon bone and the splint bones, is quite elastic in young horses. As the horse ages, the ligament ossifies; that is, the ligament is replaced by bone and the three bones fuse (Figure 2).
How long should a horse be on soft ground?
Veterinarians use many different methods to treat splint bone conditions. However, the horse should be rested and placed on soft ground for at least 30 days . Veterinarians may use medications to help reduce inflammation and help prevent excessive bone growth. It is true that splint bone disease may heal without medication and treatment.
How long does lameness last in horses?
The lameness is most obvious while the horse is trotting or working or soon thereafter. Lameness may come and go or be present continuously for as long as a year.
Which side of the forelimbs is most affected by a splint?
The majority of splint problems occur on the medial side (inside) of the forelimbs. The medial splint bone usually is the one affected because it has a flat surface next to the knee. The lateral (outer) splint bone has a more slanted surface. When the weight is transmitted to these bones, the medial splint bone probably bears more weight than the lateral splint bone. Therefore, the ligament between the medial splint bone and the cannon bone is subjected to more stress than the outer ligament.
What are horse splints?
When you run your hand down his legs, you may feel a large hard lamp between the knee and the fetlock joint. These are the tell-tale signs of a splint.
How to tell if a horse splint is tearing?
When you run your hand down his legs, you may feel a large hard lamp between the knee and the fetlock joint. These are the tell-tale signs of a splint. A horse splint is a tearing or strain on the ligaments that glue the splint bones to the cannon bones.
What causes splints in the lower leg?
Another type of direct trauma that can cause splints is kicks from another horse. In both of these cases, the splints are more likely to form in the lower leg. Intense trauma could lead to splint fractures.
What happens if a horse splint is hard?
After mineralization hardens, the horse splint manifests as a hard swollen lump. If the intensity of the trauma that causes splints exceeds a certain threshold, fractures might occur on the splint bones — a splint bone fracture (not the same as a splint’) is a different thing.
How does a horse splint hurt?
After mineralization hardens, the horse splint manifests as a hard swollen lump.
Why does my horse have a splint nightmare?
Your horse’s splint nightmares can also be as a result of interference injuries. The latter refers to injuries that occur when one limb contacts another during the animal’s strides. You will often hear repetitive popping sounds when interference happens.
What to look for when a horse pops a splint?
Here is what to look for: The injured area is hot, painful, and inflamed with a small bony swelling. If your horse pops a splint, you will likely notice some swelling around the area. The inflammation is painful, and in the early days before mineralization hardens, its tender and hot.
How do splints get fused to cannon?
As the horse matures, the splints become fused to the cannon by bone. The suspensory ligament travels down the back of the cannon bone in the space between the two splint bones. Having your veterinarian examine the leg is a good idea for several reasons.
How do splints work in horses?
At their top/knee end, splints have a knob-like head, with the bone beneath gradually tapering down until it is very slender at the end. In the young horse (under the age of about 5), the splint bones are attached to the cannon bone by ligamentous tissue. As the horse matures, the splints become fused to the cannon by bone.
What happens to a splint bone when it heals?
During the healing process, the body's reaction is to lay down more bone in an attempt to better stabilize the splint bone. This produces a permanent enlargement along the splint bone. In time, these bony enlargements can remodel and shrink to some degree, but they will always be present. Thanks for watching!
Why does my horse get inflamed?
Inflammation can result from several sources: a kick or other trauma (the usual cause when the outside/lateral splint is involved), if the horse interferes and hits the splint area, or simply if a young horse is worked too hard and overstretches the ligament between the splint bone and the cannon bone.
What is pin it on a horse?
pinterest-pin-it. pinterest-pin-it. Splints are enlargements that can occur along the length of a horse's splint bones, two slender bones that begin under the horse's knee and continue down the cannon bone. These enlargements, often referred to as the horse "popping a splint" because the splint bone looks larger on the leg, ...
How to treat a horse's splint?
When cosmetic appearance is a major consideration, the vet may choose to inject a small amount of corticosteroid in an attempt to minimize how large the healed splint will be . However, this also slows healing, can make the horse comfortable by blocking inflammation (which could make you think it's safe to work him again before it really is) and always carries some risk of infection.
What is the most important part of treating a splint?
Treating Splints. The most important part of treating splints is rest.
What are the contributing factors for a horse's splint injury?
Splint injuries have so many contributing factors, including conformation, diet, exercise habits, soft tissue injuries, kicks, knocks, interference, farrier work, etc. You and your Veterinarian can examine all of the contributing factors to create the best plan for your horse, even if he’s super sound and you think the injury is just superficial…
What is a splint injury?
Splint area injuries range from damage to the interosseous ligaments, damage to the knee where the upper end of the splint bone resides in relation to the knee, or the outer coating of the splint bone has been whacked or damaged.
What can a vet determine?
Your Veterinarian can determine a few things. One, is the injury of the splint bone itself or the interosseous ligament? Two, how lame is your horse - what's the best exercise routine? Three, what’s the treatment plan? Then, and only then, can you proceed with treating your horse's leg.
What is the lump on the inside of a horse's fetlock?
A few years ago, I found a tiny, hard lump on the inside of a horse’s fetlock. He was a bit sore when I touched it, and it turns out that it was the distal end of his splint bone that had snapped off and lodged itself much lower than what I expected a splint injury to look like. Surgery was required to remove the snapped off bone, so that it wouldn't interfere with the tendons and ligaments around the fetlock area.
What are the bones that run alongside the cannon bones of all four horse legs?
The splint bones are small bones that run alongside the cannon bones of all four horse legs, inside and outside. The splint bones are attached with the interosseous ligaments. Keep in mind that the lower leg where the splint bones live is also chock full of other tendons and ligaments that interact with each other, ...
What is the lump on my horse's leg?
What you usually find is a hard walnut shaped lump on your horse’s leg. Insert bad language here. Your horse may or may not be lame. Chances are that you will find the walnut lump before you have a chance to check for lameness.
What to do when you find a splint?
When you first discover a splint, call your Veterinarian to get a plan together before his exam. You will probably be icing, resting, and wrapping with good ol’ fashioned standing wraps!
How to manage a horse's splint?
You can manage most splints easily with help from your veterinarian, minimal downtime from exercise, and medical therapy. Occasionally, your horse might require surgery or more aggressive medical treatment. Quickly involving your veterinarian in the diagnosis and monitoring of splint bone injuries helps ensure the most rapid recovery ...
Why do horses pop splints?
Horses develop or “pop” splints for a number of reasons, including direct trauma, repeated concussion from work, poor conformation, and poor hoof balance. Splints commonly arise in young horses early in their training, but they can also occur in older horses. Front limbs and medial, or inside, splint bones are more commonly affected than hind limbs and/or lateral (outer) splint bones. Veterinarians divide splints into two groups: a fracture of the splint bone and the more common popped splint. They primarily use palpation and radiographs (X rays) to diagnose and monitor fractured or popped splints.
What is a splint bone injury?
Splint bone injuries are common in both working and pastured horses. Here’s what you should know. Part of your pre-ride routine involves running a hand down each of your horse’s legs—it’s something you do almost automatically. But this time you come across a large, rigid bump on the inside of his front cannon bone.
What is the underlying pathology of a splint?
The underlying pathology is tearing of the periosteum (the fibrous outer layer of the splint bone) or the interosseous ligament , which results in inflammation and new bone formation—the splint bump. Quiet splints can appear seemingly overnight with no heat, swelling, or lameness and generally require little treatment or rest.
What causes a fractured splint bone?
Fractured splints. Direct trauma is the most common cause of a fractured splint bone. The location dictates the treatment plan and prognosis. Fracture of the lower part of the splint can be difficult to treat without surgery.
Which limbs are affected by splints?
Front limbs and medial, or inside, splint bones are more commonly affected than hind limbs and/or lateral (outer) splint bones. Veterinarians divide splints into two groups: a fracture of the splint bone and the more common popped splint. They primarily use palpation and radiographs (X rays) to diagnose and monitor fractured or popped splints.
What is a popped splint?
Popped splints, or exostosis (a bony growth) of the metacarpal or metatarsal (splint) bones, are a common finding in horses. Usually, these are old and “quiet,” meaning they cause no pain or lameness, but others are hot and active, causing pain and sometimes lameness. The metacarpal and metatarsal bones are the small bones on each side ...
