Splintex Gold For Old Splints – 60ml

Splintex Gold is a treatment for horses with old splints that can be effective. If the horse has a new splint please use Splintex Silver.

The cannon bone in the horse is flanked by two splint bones on either side. In the young horse these bones are connected by interosseous (soft) ligaments. As the horse reaches five or six, the ligaments ossify to create a bone connection.

A splint (interosseous desmitis) occurs during the ossification stage as a result of trauma to the interosseous ligament. The trauma is usually caused by exercise or direct trauma (eg a kick). The swelling causes a bony lump; usually on the inside of the leg as the inside splint bone carries more weight than the outside one. All young horses are at a risk of splints, but poor leg conformation eg toe out / in may predispose a horse to having splints.

Incorrect trimming and shoeing may cause an imbalance in weight distribution, and an improper diet may subject a horse to splints. Overworking young horses is not advised, as many splints occur on two and three year old horses.

Using Splintex:

Splintex works by producing an increased oxygen tension in the localised area, preventing the deposition of new bone. Due to a prolonged inflammatory response, there is a drop in the tissue pH which is incompatible with the deposition or laydown of new bone. Because of the renewed inflammatory response from the chemicals within Splintex, it will stimulate delayed or healing fatigue, causing the local tissue and periosteum to reduce in size as the healing becomes more complete.

Horses with new splints should be given total rest to avoid further damage to the interosseous ligament. The splint may appear swollen and warm, and lameness may be present. Splintex Silver should be applied lightly for 3 days with bandages if possible. On day 4 and 5 do not apply and remove bandages. Repeat this cycle until the splint is reduced. Hair loss and skin scurfing may occur. If this becomes serious cease applications for 3 days and continue the cycle.

Horses with older splints will not normally need to be rested during treatment. Apply Splintex Gold daily, the use of bandages is optional. If severe scurfing occurs cease applications for three days and then commence a cycle of 3 days on 2 days off.  

Applicator brush included