Splints - Boots?

A friend of mines horse has a splint on the inside of his left fore leg. He had it when she bought him. The previous owners did alot of road work which was probably the cause.


She wants to know if splint boots are any good, or if theres any other boots/bandages she can use that will give his legs more support? Especially while hacking and jumping?


He is sound and doesnt seem bothered by it, although he doesnt seem to like making sharp turns, could this be due to the splint?

Splints - Boots?
Initially, most "splints" hurt and cause lameness. These are often referred as being "hot". After time, and treatment and lay - up, usually a splint will no longer hurt, and is often called an "old, cold splint".


If the horse doesn't like to turn, bearing weight onto that leg, then it is probably safe to say that the splint is still bothering him, and he should probably be seen by a vet. A vet can inject the splint with depo-medrol (anti-inflammatory steriod), and this will help decrease the pain. The splint should probably be xrayed, to make sure nothing is fractured. They might also just put him on some bute.


"Splints" are caused by excess strain onto a splint bone which causes it to literally become displaced in one spot, however, it is also possible to have broken the splint bone, and in that case, it would most likely need to have the broken peice removed - this can be done under "standing anesthesia", or by laying the horse down for full general anesthesia.


In any case, you should have the horse looked at to be sure that he is OK on that splint.


And as far as boots go, they are a good idea to help protect the leg from any future injury to the splints, but that does not 100% garauntee that nothing will ever happen.
Reply:Did your friend do a pre-purchase exam on the horse? If so, did the vet say that the splint was cold(old and healed)? If so, it is highly unlikely that it is bothering the horse. The roadwork could have caused it, as could a hoof whacking the leg hard. His not liking sharp turns could be just a lack of balance that needs to be built up or he could have pain elsewhere.





No boots or bandages are going to give much "support". Boots/wraps are mainly to protect from interference and the legs hitting things. The "support" from any exercise boots or wraps is so minimal that it doesn't make a difference whether to use them or not. Also, applying boots or wraps improperly will do much more damage than just leaving the horse's legs bare. I would just get some simple splint/galloping boots or polo wraps to keep him from hitting it on anything, or just leave him bare.
Reply:tbjumper is right. Once cold, a splint will not become inflammed or heated again and cause problems. I also agree with x-rays, alot of times a fracture to the cannon bone can look exactly like a splint and can cause pain if not healed properly. Depending on his age, I would have him on glucosamine supplements if he is over 10 and have a flexion test to be sure he is sound. The spint is just a blemish, nothing to worry about, but get him into an alternating excercise program that involves hill work and alot of collection. You have to build and strengthen the proper muscles before you can expect him to use them during riding. The flexion test will identify any sore joints also, since alot of jumpers tend to get sore in the shoulders, knees, and fetlocks.


NO boots or wraps provide support, but some top notch boots made of shock absobing neoprene have (in our studies at Auburn Univ. and other major universities) have been found to lower the amount of shock waves through the deep flexor and superficial flexor tendons and alittle through the cannon bone. So, if you are on consistant hard ground, this could help insure leg health and boots also provide PROTECTION, but again, no support, or, as PROFESSIONAL CHOICE STATES: decreases the amount of weight and strain by 60%. This has never been proven in any studies.


Good luck and just make sure that horse is sound!
Reply:My horse popped his splints three years ago and is perfectly sound now. The thing about splints is that once they break away from the cannon bone, they re-heal in their new position, and they generally won't give the horse any further trouble. They're unsightly, but they're rarely a soundness issue. I use splint boots when I'm jumping, but that's just for general shock absorption. I use the Neoprene ones you can get at any tack store; they're cheap, but they work for me. Not liking to make sharp turns probably has nothing to do with splints.
Reply:Gallop Boots The brand which are splint boot are the BEST THEY MAKE I would also get skid boots and bell boots just for safe measures
Reply:I'd suggest a pair of "polo wraps"...if she learns how to wrap them correctly. She could try "splint boots", though they don't provide alot of "support". As for the "sharp turns"...this could be due to the splint, but maybe not. Good luck.
Reply:This could be keeping him from making the sharp turns...I don't see why she can't try buying a pair of inexpensive splint boots...I think they cost around $25. She might want to call her vet first but if the horse seems sound otherwise the splint boots will help support the leg.



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