| inflammation are the case. Quite
often referred to as a true splint, this condition will cause a horse to
experience mild lameness, heat at the affected area, as well as tender swelling. On the other
hand, if the ligament damage is only very mild, the swelling is much harder to
detect, since it occurs between the cannon and the splint bone, thus giving rise
to the name blind splint. Splints can very often be avoided. For example, if your farrier is not on the
top of her or his game and thus trims and shoes your horse poorly when it is
time for it to be shod, any uneven growth will not receive the proper attention
it needs. Additionally, some horse owners contribute to the problem of splints
by overfeeding their animal or not providing a proper nutritional balance. This
is quite often the case in foals that are growing rapidly and putting more and
more weight on still soft bones. Of course, some horses are simply predisposed
to this condition because they place added stress on the leg by toeing in or
out.
When the horse presents with a splint, it is important to treat the affected
area by treating the inflammation itself. Ice packs are very often the first
treatment a horse should receive for any kind of splint. Generally speaking, you
will want to apply a cold pack to the affected area for 25 minutes several times
a day. After each application, follow the treatment with a pressure support
wrap. You know that you will be able to discontinue the cold treatments when the
splint is not as tender anymore and no longer feels hot to the touch. Other
treatment options include cold poultices, injections with steroids, massages,
and application of DMSO.
While splints are entirely treatable, they will require their time to heal, and
no matter which treatment option you choose, the swelling does not go down
quickly. Yet the sooner you beginning the smaller the swelling will be!
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