shin splint

[Topline Sporthorses]

Does anyone know anything about shin splints? What they are exactly and any problems that can be associated with them?

[tmsLauraM]

A horse has two small bones on each side of the cannon bone, a little toward the rear. These little bones are called splint bones. They actually form part of the carpel joint, with their top surfaces carrying some of the animal's weight. They also have splint bones in the rear legs, although splint injuries are not as common to the rear as the front. The majority of the horse's weight is on the front legs. Since these are not really complete bones, they do not rest on anything on the bottom end. They are attached to the cannon bone by the interosseous ligament When a lot of strain is placed downward on the carpel joint, some of it is transferred to this ligament. This causes a small amount of movement betweent the splint bones and the cannon bone. If the stress is enough, it will cause damage to this area. Working to long and hard in a circle with young horses, working on hard ground, jumping or galloping to soon with young horses, ect. will cause a splint, usually on the inside, since this one carries more weight than the outside. Eventually, as the horse gets older, these ligaments become bone, permanently fusing the splint bones to the cannon bones. Until this happens, however, the area can develop splints. Thick legged horses, such as heavy hunters, are more prone to splint injuries than are lighter weight horses like Arabs and TBs. Occassionally, mineral imbalances and poor nutrition will cause splints.

When the splints are active, the horse is usually lame. If a bony swelling develops, it is usually closer to the knee than lower down. There may be one large bump or a series of smaller ones (called a chain splint). Chain splints don't always become active at once, but may take turns causing pain, which will cause a longer recovery time. Many times, with even the large or small single bump, lameness may be intermittent, and may become more pronounced the more the horse is worked. The bump will actually appear several days AFTER the splint area is damaged. It may be tender and have heat.

Where the splint is determines how the horse recovers. Sometimes, there is never any lameness at all, and a small bump appears which is only ever a blemish. Sometimes the horse is lame and then as it heals and fuses with the cannon bone, the lameness goes away and although the bony lump will be permanent, it is never an issue anymore. Splints which occur at the back of the splint bone or on it's inside surface may damage the flexor tendons and/or the suspensory ligaments. Splints which occur right under the knee joint may cause enough new bone growth to invade the carpel joint, resulting in arthritis.

Pasture rest seems to be the best treatment, as the horse can move when he feels better and rest when it hurts. Light gentle exercise seems to help it fuse together, which ends the pain. In any case, you should make sure the horse is receiving proper nutrition. and correct any mineral imbalances.

Hope this helps!

[Topline Sporthorses]

A very informative answer! thanks so much! So would you say a 4 yr old who's splint appeared after being trailered would be healed at 5yrs. if he's showing no signs of lameness? Doyou think he could be permanantly sound or will it likely reoccur? i'm sure it's hard to predict what could happen but from generalexperience what do you think? would this stop you from purchasing a horse if he seemed completely sound?

[tmsLauraM]

I've heard of young horses getting splints from being trailered for a long distance, or if they've jumped and fussed around a lot.

If it's been about a year, and there is no sign of lameness, then I would be inclined to think that everything is fine, now. Some splint lumps will never go away, but that does not mean that they are a problem, they can be exactly like windgalls, in that respect.

If the lump is cold, does not cause the horse any pain at all upon palpatation, is an inch or so below the joint, and is somewhat in the center of the cannon bone and not too far toward the rear, most likely it is nothing to worry about. Extremely large ones may press on the digital nerves, or interfere with tendons or ligaments, but in those cases there will be lameness present. Young horses tend to heal completely and have no further problems. I've known of several horses that have splints, and they have absolutely no problems because of it.

If you've had a vet check it (x-rays may be helpful, but I don't really know about that) and the horse has not been lame, then I would buy the horse, if it were me, and he was what I wanted. My experience has been that they are a non-issue.