What is shin soreness?

What is shin soreness?

Shin soreness is a training injury that commonly affects 2-year-old racehorses throughout their introduction to racing. While mainly seen in young racehorses it can also affect equestrian performance horses especially those putting added pressure on the fore limbs.

As the name suggests it involves the shin (cannon bone), which is the main weight bearing bone of the forelimb. Shin soreness, more often than not, will occur simultaneously in both forelimbs; however, it may be greater in their leading leg (i.e. the right limb if racing clockwise)

Bones naturally undergo remodeling, as a response to intensifying activity. Remodeling is a normal part of development which thickens the bone to build strength and density. However, the point at which shin soreness presents itself is where the remodeling process consumes bone tissue faster than the rate at which new bone is laid down. This leads to structurally weak bones which cannot withstand the stress placed on them by high intensity work. 

 

How do I recognise shin soreness? 

Shin soreness can arise suddenly and present with a combination of the following symptoms. Some of these symptoms may be observed directly following intense exercise 

• Lameness of the front legs 

• Shortened strides 

• Stiffness 

• Pain and tenderness when the cannon bone is palpated 

• Swelling over the cannon bone 

• Heat over cannon bone 

How can we manage shin soreness? 

Regular monitoring can be used to identify the onset of shin soreness, whilst veterinary examination with diagnostic imaging is required to confirm the degree of severity. The aim is to keep the horse comfortable and reduce swelling. Care programs may include 

• A reduced workload, with hand walking 

• Rest; either short term stall rest, or moderate term turnout depending on severity 

• Cold therapies including icing and cold water hosing 

• Bandaging to reduce swelling 

• Leg poulticing to reduce swelling 

• Changes to feeding programs, with potential supplementation increases of bone minerals, such as Calcium 

• Anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by a veterinarian 

If left untreated, the bone can be subject to developing microfractures and even hairline fractures.
Severe cases that have resulted in fractures may require surgical attention and a longer spell from training or work.
Returning from shin soreness requires a gradual re-introduction to work. A poorly recovered horse can be just as likely to suffer a reoccurring episode.  

How can we prevent shin soreness?

Early Development
Correct skeletal development starts from the day they are born. Adequate conditioning for growth and development as well as correct nutrition that prioritises bone minerals is first and foremost. Additional on farm management practices, such as terrain selection, can also expose young horses to earlier bone remodeling triggers.

Introduction to Training
Introduction to speed or intense work should be gradually built up to. Programs should involve sufficient rest periods and emphasise overall fitness and conditioning to best prepare for the process of bone remodeling.

Nutrition
Younger horses require an increased level of bone developing minerals especially when being introduced to an increased work load, this is often overlooked in early development. 

Calcium, as well as Phosphorus and Magnesium, are not only required in ample supply, but they must also be correctly balanced in order to achieve desired nutritional ratios.

Calcium:Phosphorus in the ration should ideally meet a 2:1 balance. This is the same ratio in which they are found in the bone. High grain diets can easily skew this ratio with their natural phosphorus loading. Thus, tailored mineral supplementation, such as Folactin Blue and Power Formula are ideal for meeting these needs.

Supplementation can start well before they enter the stables and can continue during spells with the likes of Folactin Red, which is formulated to compliment pasture-based feeding. 

 

If you need assistance with your young horses diet, reach out to our nutrition team or submit your diet for an evaluation.