Off Derby Trail. Surgery needed.

Rick B.: Yes -- all over the horse racing radio shows this weekend.

The horse reportedly \"popped a splint\".

Can one of the vets here explain this please? Sure doesn\'t sound good.

drbillym: Hey Rick, I\'ve been more of a poodle repairman the last 20 years, so I will refer you to equmed.com, put in splint bone problems under the search space, and get a pretty good explanation.

sighthound: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/89-093.htm

Pictures and explainations above.

Splint bones can be minor or more serious, but they are never really \"that\" serious.  They normally get inflammed to some extent or another in young horses, no matter their breed and work.  If the end fractures off, you just go in and remove it.

sighthound: Ooooh, good pictures!