Page 454 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• The sound limb should be carefully observed as the increased weight-bearing may result

in laminitis. Digital pulses should be monitored daily. A thick bed and frog supports
VetBooks.ir where necessary are helpful.

Fracture of the splint bone

Fracture of a splint bone is a relatively common injury.

CAUSES

These include the following.

External trauma

• Being struck by the foot of the opposite limb.

• A penetrating wound.
• A kick from another horse. This is a common cause of fracture of the fourth metatarsal

(outside splint) bone in the hind limb.

Internal trauma

During fast exercise, the splint bone is subject to biomechanical stress. The medial splint

bone of the forelimb articulates with bones of the knee joint and experiences compressive
forces. The lower part of the splint bone is attached to the suspensory ligament and also by

fibrous tissue to the proximal sesamoid bones. It can be fractured in the following ways.
• Too much force on the medial splint bone during high-speed exercise can cause it to

fracture.
• If the fetlock is overextended, the tension on the splint bone can be enough to cause a

fracture between the distal (lower) and middle third of its length.

• Inflammation and thickening of the suspensory ligament can put pressure on the splint
bone and push the lower third away from the cannon bone. This makes it more

susceptible to fracture from biomechanical stresses.

This type of injury is common in 5–7-year-old racehorses.

CLINICAL SIGNS

These may include: