My (brand new) ottb mare came in with swollen legs. General consensus is that it’s a splint. Is it common for a horse to pop a splint on both legs at he same time? Right leg is definitely more swollen, and she seems to be a little more cautious on that leg when asked to trot on the lunge, but not especially off Neither is sore to palpation
First thing that comes to mind is shoeing. A new/different farrier might have changed angles which then put more strain on different parts of the lower leg.
I would get an excellent farrier who specializes in remedial shoeing and have him look at the balance of the horse’s feet/legs. Changes should be made over several months, but such a farrier can at least put your horse on the right path. In my 50 years of being in horses, I have learned not to ask a vet about balance and shoeing issues. Many of them really do not know much about it.
I practice what I preach. My young horse now goes 1.5 hours away to a hall of fame farrier so he can get his angles and balance right. I will be going back to my farrier soon, but will still rely (via texts and pictures) on the specialist to keep Goober shod correctly
That’s what I was wondering Lord Helpus. Her hoof care hasn’t been ideal the past year or so, and she naturally is super flat footed. We’ve also started jumping a little higher than cross rails so I wonder if that’s putting more strain on her legs as well.
My horse popped bilateral splints. It does happen
My horse also popped bilateral splints zooming around in the pasture (before I bought her) but apparently was never lame. One of them has since significantly decreased in size, but the other one is still there—it’s maybe the size of a walnut. She’s 100% sound and both have always been cool to the touch.
I figured bi-lateral splints were possible, I just wasn’t sure the probability of it. Swelling/heat/lameness have all decreased significantly this weekend. Working on getting my farrier out this week to hopefully get her angles a little better/shoe if needed.
