A splint is more than a name

A splint is more than a name


If you’re unfamiliar with equine terminology, you might wonder what the term “splint” means. That can be confusing, because it has several meanings.

Your horse has two small splint bones running along the lower part of each leg, one on each side of the much larger central bone. Each splint bone is attached to its larger neighbor by a ligament.

The term “pop a splint” refers to painful inflammation of that ligament. But small fractures in the splint bone — which often heal as bumps — are also called splints. Both occur most commonly in the front legs along the medial surface, which bears the most weight.

Poor conformation can predispose your horse to popped splints. So can improper shoeing, excessive training and too little — or too much — nutrition.

Let’s just say that preventing splints helps protect your horse’s legs. Sound good?

Related Episodes