Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Splints, Splint Exostosis
Synonyms: Blind Splint, Creeping Splint, Edge Splint, False Splint, Interosseous Splint
Summary
The splint bones are two thin, sliver-like bones which run along the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) back of the cannon bones in both front and rear limbs. Their thicker "head" make up an important part of the joint between the cannon region (metatarsal behind and metacarpal in front) and carpal and tarsal joints, respectively. The entire lengths of these bones are squeezed up against the the cannon bone and joined to it with a short, very strong ligament that runs the length of the bone.
If there is excessive strain on this short ligament, it can tear. The body responds by laying down a bridge of bone. This bump of bone is known as a splint (sometimes called a "true" splint). Splints start as soft to firm, warm, and painful swellings and progress toward hard, cold painless bumps (known as "cold" splints).
Bony bumps associated with the splint bones can also be caused by direct external trauma such as a kick, or contact by another limb. Some call these "false" splints.
True splints occur far more in horses with abnormal conformation at the hock or carpus. Splints are more commonly associated with the inside splint bone. (If the damage occurs with no outward swelling, these are often called "blind" splints.) Conformation that overloads the inside of the lower limb (knock kneed or bench kneed conformation) are commonly associated with splints.
Splints sometimes cause lameness and sometimes do not. Horses that have recently developed a splint are often lame, and the lameness gradually decreases over days to weeks.
Diagnosis requires a veterinary exam. Splints are preliminarily diagnosed by examination of the swelling directly overlying the splint bone (usually in a horse that is conformationally predisposed). Radiographs provide additional confirmation and are useful to rule out splint fractures, which are often managed differently.
Horses with splints gradually recover, usually no matter what we do. Rest and time are the most important treatment. There are many treatments aimed at getting horses back to work more quickly, including local injection of steroids, a variety of topical anti-inflammatories with or without bandaging. Shockwave is also commonly used for these injuries. The question is how much these treatments really help.
If there is excessive strain on this short ligament, it can tear. The body responds by laying down a bridge of bone. This bump of bone is known as a splint (sometimes called a "true" splint). Splints start as soft to firm, warm, and painful swellings and progress toward hard, cold painless bumps (known as "cold" splints).
Bony bumps associated with the splint bones can also be caused by direct external trauma such as a kick, or contact by another limb. Some call these "false" splints.
True splints occur far more in horses with abnormal conformation at the hock or carpus. Splints are more commonly associated with the inside splint bone. (If the damage occurs with no outward swelling, these are often called "blind" splints.) Conformation that overloads the inside of the lower limb (knock kneed or bench kneed conformation) are commonly associated with splints.
Splints sometimes cause lameness and sometimes do not. Horses that have recently developed a splint are often lame, and the lameness gradually decreases over days to weeks.
Diagnosis requires a veterinary exam. Splints are preliminarily diagnosed by examination of the swelling directly overlying the splint bone (usually in a horse that is conformationally predisposed). Radiographs provide additional confirmation and are useful to rule out splint fractures, which are often managed differently.
Horses with splints gradually recover, usually no matter what we do. Rest and time are the most important treatment. There are many treatments aimed at getting horses back to work more quickly, including local injection of steroids, a variety of topical anti-inflammatories with or without bandaging. Shockwave is also commonly used for these injuries. The question is how much these treatments really help.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Rest and time takes care of most splints. For performance horses, some therapies may reduce inflammation and swelling, and hasten the return to soundness and work.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Is this a splint caused by internal stresses or external impact?
Prevention
Horses of correct hock and carpal conformation have far few problems with splints, so select for these horses at purchase. Veterinary purchase exams can help detect conformational problems that predispose to lameness.
Condition horses gradually and maintain good footing.
Splint boots can help protect lower limb against contact from other hooves. The use of splint boots may protect the inner lower limb from contact from other limbs and so reduce splint injuries.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health