How to Splint a Horse's Back Leg

Damage to a horse's leg can mean dire consequences including death. An injury to a horse's leg needs to be dealt with as soon as possible by a qualified veterinarian. Sometimes, medical help is not readily available and the owner of the horse must take necessary steps to place a splint on the horse's back leg. Splinting an injury will reduce pain and speed up the healing process. A splint will protect the leg from more injury until veterinary help arrives.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm water
  • Mild Soap
  • Clean, dry towel
  • Soft padding
  • Gauze or wrapping
  • 2 Splints, wood or PVC pipes
  • Nonelastic adhesive tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the horse's reign tied to a sturdy post during the process. This will keep the horse from running off, causing more damage to his leg if he becomes spooked.

    • 2

      Clean the back leg. Remove any dirt and debris with warm water and a mild soap. This will prevent skin irritation from occurring. Rinse thoroughly, removing all soap residue and dry completely with a clean towel.

    • 3

      Stabilize the back leg. Do not re-align the horse's back leg. Doing so could cause additional damage to the injury.

    • 4

      Determine the correct type and size of splint needed for the horse's back leg. The splint must keep the back leg immobilized. Any two pieces of straight lightweight wood or PVC pipe can successfully be used as a splint. The splint must extend one joint below the injury and one joint above.

    • 5

      Wrap the leg with soft padding that is at least an inch thick. When wrapping the leg, keep the padding flat and wrinkle free against the horse's skin. Never place wood or any other splint material directly against the horse's skin. Apply the padding first to give the skin a layer of protection.

    • 6

      Place the splints against the bandage and begin wrapping with nonelastic adhesive tape. Lay the first splint on the outside of the leg, while the other splint is placed along the front or back of the leg. Wrap from front to back, outside to inside. Wrap counterclockwise if on the left leg, clockwise if on the right. Wrap in a spiral pattern while working down the leg and then back up again, overlapping the previous layer. The splint is merely put in place to take weight off the bones and prevent any further damage caused by movement.

    • 7

      Keep the bandage wrapped snug but not too tight. Slip your finger beneath the wrapping to check for tightness. If the bandage is too tight, loosen the wrapping to keep blood flowing to the leg.