By Savannah Magoteaux

Walk down the aisle of any horse trailer after a summer jackpot, ranch rodeo or trail ride, and you’ll probably see the same thing: saddle pads draped over gates, fences and trailer doors, drying in the afternoon sun. Some will be soaked through with sweat. Others will already be stiff with dried salt, caked hair and arena dust.

It’s easy to think of a saddle pad as just another piece of tack, but it has one of the hardest jobs on your horse.

Every ride, it cushions the saddle, helps distribute pressure across your horse’s back, absorbs sweat and allows heat to escape.

A quality saddle pad can last for years, but only if it’s properly maintained.

Allowing sweat, dirt and hair to build up doesn’t just shorten the life of the pad.

Over time, those materials compress the fibers, reduce the pad’s ability to wick moisture and create stiff spots that can rub against your horse’s back. Even the best-made pad can’t do its job if it has become hard as a board.

One of the simplest habits horse owners can develop is cleaning the pad after every ride. Knock off loose dirt, brush away hair and allow the pad to dry completely before putting it back in the tack room or trailer.

Storing a damp pad encourages mildew, odors and bacterial growth while also breaking down many of the materials over time.

While every saddle pad serves the same basic purpose, the material it’s made from determines both its performance and how it should be cared for.

For many western riders, wool felt remains the standard

One of its greatest advantages is that it gradually conforms to the horse’s back without losing its structure. To care for a wool felt pad, remove hair with a curry comb or stiff brush after each ride and let it dry thoroughly. When it does need a deeper cleaning, use cool water and a mild wool-safe detergent if recommended by the manufacturer.

High-pressure washers, harsh detergents and excessive heat can damage the wool fibers and reduce the pad’s performance.

Traditional woven wool blankets are still popular, particularly beneath ranch saddles or as a top blanket over a felt pad. They should be shaken out regularly, brushed clean and washed gently when necessary. Most should be allowed to air dry rather than being placed in a dryer, which can shrink natural fibers.

Neoprene pads have become common because they’re durable, lightweight and easy to clean. Unlike wool, they don’t absorb moisture. Instead, many feature textured or waffle-patterned surfaces that help move sweat away from the horse while allowing airflow beneath the saddle.

Most can simply be rinsed with a hose after riding and washed occasionally with mild soap. Once clean, they should be allowed to dry completely before storage, and prolonged exposure to intense heat or direct sunlight should be avoided since neoprene can become brittle over time.

Foam, gel and memory foam inserts are frequently found in performance pads designed to provide additional shock absorption or relieve pressure points. These materials can be excellent for cushioning, but many retain more heat than wool.

Care varies considerably from one manufacturer to another, making it important to follow the cleaning instructions provided with the pad rather than assuming all synthetic materials can be washed the same way.

Synthetic fleece pads are another common option, particularly for everyday riding.

They are generally easier to clean than natural wool, and many can be machine washed on a gentle cycle before being air dried.

Regular brushing between washings helps keep the fleece from becoming matted and packed with hair.

Regardless of what type of saddle pad you choose, no pad is designed to make up for a saddle that doesn’t fit correctly. Even the thickest pad cannot eliminate pressure points created by an improperly fitting saddle.

Instead, think of the pad as a partner to proper saddle fit, helping protect your horse while allowing the saddle to perform as intended.

Before your next ride, flip your saddle pad over and run your hand across the side that rests against your horse. If it feels rough, stiff or covered in dried sweat and hair, imagine how it feels after an hour in the saddle.

Spending just a few minutes cleaning and drying your pad after each ride will help it last longer, protect your investment and, most importantly, keep your horse more comfortable every time you swing a leg over the saddle.

By Garrett Metcalf, DVM

Splint bone issues in horses are a common problem across various ages and disciplines. These injuries can be caused by excessive work in young horses or by traumatic injuries. The splint bones play an important role in the stability of the joints they help form at the knee or hock level. This article will discuss the different types of splint bone injuries and their treatments.

The splint bones are small bones that are intimately attached to the inside and outside of the cannon bone. To understand which section is injured, it’s helpful to break the splint bone down into three parts: the head, the mid-body section, and the button. The head of the splint bones forms part of the carpus (knee) in the forelimb and part of the hock in the hindlimb. Research has demonstrated the important role splint bones play in the stability of these joints. A study conducted at Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine noted that when larger portions of the splint bone were removed, rotational stability in the carpus was significantly impacted, and other directional forces were also affected.

Diagnosing splint bone injuries is generally straightforward with radiographs, though in some cases, ultrasound can also be helpful. Bone or callus formation around these splint bone injuries can compress the suspensory ligament, leading to chronic pain and lameness issues.

Popped Splints

“Popped splints” refer to injuries that generally occur in younger horses entering training and work. These injuries typically affect the inside forelimb splints and can be quite painful, leading to loss of training time. A popped splint is the result of tearing the ligament that holds the splint bone to the cannon bone, known as the interosseous ligament. When the ligament is torn, bleeding can occur, disrupting the periosteum of the bones and causing a callus or firm bony lump.

The inside splint on the forelimb is more prone to injury because it bears direct load with the second carpal bone at the head of the splint bone. This places direct force on the splint bone, while other splint bones share the load with adjacent carpal or hock bones.

Popped splints are often painful, with noticeable swelling near the splint bone and heat present. When palpated, a moderate amount of pain will be elicited.

Treatment for popped splints typically includes rest, systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, and local anti-inflammatory treatments. Acute inflammation can be soothed with ice, cold therapies, and bandaging. Alternative therapies such as cold laser therapy, MagnaWave, or shockwave therapy can also be incorporated into the treatment plan. In more extreme cases, surgical removal of the bone callus may be necessary to prevent compression of the suspensory ligament.

Splint Bone Fractures

Splint bone fractures can occur at any level of the splint bone, but some areas are more commonly fractured. The distal one-third of the splint bone is most often fractured in the forelimbs. These fractures are occasionally associated with forelimb suspensory ligament issues. The suspensory ligament has a small attachment to the button of the splint bone, and when the lower limb is heavily extended, bending forces on the lower part of the splint bones can lead to fractures.

In the hind limb, the outside (lateral) splint bone is the most commonly fractured. These fractures often result from kicking injuries. When two horses don’t get along and kick at each other, the lateral splint bone is often the one that gets broken. These injuries are particularly problematic due to the open wounds that are heavily contaminated with manure, hair, and dirt, as well as injuries to flexor tendons.

Fractures near the head of the splint are especially problematic and can sometimes be career-ending or life-threatening. These fractures can involve the joints of the carpus or hock, leading to septic arthritis, severe lameness, and possibly serious instability of the corresponding joint. The rule of thumb for equine veterinarians when surgically removing damaged or fractured splint bones is the “two-thirds, one-third rule.” This means the lower two-thirds of the splint bone can be safely removed, but the upper one-third should be preserved whenever possible. Complete removal of the upper one-third of the splint bone can lead to chronic lameness or, worse, catastrophic joint dislocation when the horse attempts to rise from anesthesia. In some cases, the fractured upper one-third of the splint can be repaired using plates and screws to maintain stability in the joint.

Smaller traumatic injuries to the splint bone often occur from interference injuries or when the horse’s own feet hit the inner splint bones during work. These injuries can be prevented with the use of splint boots on the lower limbs during exercise. Some lower limb boots provide support to the fetlock and suspensory ligament, which can help prevent distal splint bone fractures, although they are not always fully protective.

Conclusion

Some splint bone injuries are relatively simple and common issues that many horse owners can address. However, more serious traumatic fractures and wounds related to splint injuries should be examined by a veterinarian. If you suspect a splint bone injury, it’s best to consult a professional to ensure proper treatment and prevent further complications.

Read more in the September 2025 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.

Every horse owner knows one.

It is the horse that stays fat on almost nothing. The pony that looks round even when the feed scoop is small. The gelding that does not need grain, does not miss many meals and still seems to gain weight just by looking across the fence at good grass.

For years, those horses have been called easy keepers. In some ways, the name fits. They are usually economical to feed, hardy and good at making use of what is available. But easy keeper does not always mean easy to manage. In fact, some of those horses may need more careful attention than the harder-keeping horses in the barn.

That is because weight gain, certain body fat patterns and changes in how the horse handles insulin can increase the risk of a serious condition known as Equine Metabolic Syndrome, often shortened to EMS. For many horse owners, EMS is most frightening because of what it can lead to: laminitis.

Laminitis is painful, expensive and potentially life-threatening. It can change a horse’s usefulness and quality of life, and in severe cases, it can become a crisis. The goal for horse owners is to recognize the risk before the horse is standing in the barn too sore to walk.

While EMS is often associated with spring grass, July is still a good time for North Texas horse owners to take a hard look at their easy keepers. By midsummer, many horses have already spent weeks or months on pasture. Hot weather may make owners ride less consistently. A horse that was round in April may be heavier by July. Improved pastures, irrigated areas, hay, treats and grain can all add up, especially for horses that do not need many extra calories.

EMS is not simply a matter of a horse being fat, though obesity is a major warning sign. It is better understood as a metabolic problem involving insulin dysregulation. In plain terms, the horse’s body does not handle insulin normally. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, but when insulin levels are too high or the body does not respond to insulin as it should, the horse may be at greater risk for laminitis.

That is where the old term “grass founder” can be misleading. Many owners have seen a horse or pony get sore after being turned out on lush grass and assumed the grass itself was the whole problem. Grass can certainly be part of the issue, especially when it is rich in nonstructural carbohydrates, but the bigger picture may be the horse’s metabolic response to that feed source.

Some horses are more prone to EMS than others. Ponies, miniature horses, donkeys and certain hardy breeds may be at higher risk, but any horse can develop metabolic trouble under the wrong conditions. Horses that gain weight easily, receive more calories than they need, exercise inconsistently or carry fat in certain areas deserve a closer look.

Those fat patterns matter.

One of the most noticeable warning signs is a cresty neck. This is the thick, firm fat deposit along the top of the neck that may be especially obvious on ponies, minis and some easy-keeping horses. Fat may also collect around the tailhead, behind the shoulders, along the ribs, in the sheath of geldings and stallions, or around the udder area in mares. These regional fat deposits can be a clue that the horse is not just a little round, but may be metabolically at risk.

Owners should also pay attention to overall body condition. A horse does not have to be thin to be healthy, but a horse carrying too much weight is not harmless. Extra weight places more stress on the feet and joints, and in a metabolically at-risk horse, it may increase the chance of laminitis.

Laminitis is often thought of as a sudden disaster, and sometimes it is. A horse may be fine one day and extremely sore the next. However, it can also be quieter than that. Some horses may have smaller episodes that are easy to miss. They may seem a little tender on gravel, reluctant to turn, short-strided or unwilling to move freely. They may shift their weight, camp out with their front feet, lie down more than usual or just seem “off.”

Those little signs matter, especially in an easy keeper.

By the time a horse is visibly and severely lame, changes may already be happening inside the hoof. In some cases, radiographs may show rotation or sinking of the coffin bone. That is why sore feet in an overweight or cresty-necked horse should not be brushed off as a minor inconvenience. A horse that is tender after a trim, short-strided on hard ground or reluctant to walk across the pasture may need a veterinarian and farrier involved sooner rather than later.

Diagnosis of EMS should be handled by a veterinarian. A vet will look at the horse’s history, body condition, fat deposits, soundness and overall health. Bloodwork may be used to evaluate insulin and other metabolic concerns. Some horses may also need to be evaluated for other conditions, such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, often called PPID or Cushing’s disease, especially in older horses.

The good news is that management can make a major difference. The difficult news is that management usually requires real change.

For many easy keepers, the first step is removing unnecessary calories. Grain is often the easiest place to start. Many horses at risk for EMS do not need grain at all, especially if they are not in hard work. Sweet feed, high-starch concentrates and sugary treats should be avoided unless a veterinarian specifically recommends otherwise. Even small daily extras can matter for a horse that already gains weight easily.

Pasture access is another major consideration. Turning a horse out on good grass for long periods may not be safe for an EMS-prone horse, even if it seems natural. Some horses may need limited turnout, a grazing muzzle or a dry lot. Others may need pasture removed completely during certain times of year or until weight and insulin levels are better controlled.

A grazing muzzle can be a useful tool when fitted correctly and used safely. It allows the horse to move around, socialize and have some turnout while reducing the amount of grass consumed. Horses should be monitored to make sure they can drink, are not getting rubs and are not becoming frustrated or tangled. Breakaway features or safe halter setups are important.

Dry lots can also be effective, but they need management. A dry lot should have safe fencing, clean water, shade and enough room for the horse to move. It should not become a mud hole or manure pile. Hay may need to be fed in a slow feeder or small-hole net to stretch eating time while limiting overconsumption.

Hay is part of the equation, too. Mature grass hay is often used for easy keepers, but guessing at hay quality can be risky. When possible, hay testing can help owners and veterinarians make better decisions. Some horses may need hay that is lower in sugar and starch. Others may need a ration balancer or vitamin-mineral supplement to make sure their nutritional needs are met while calories are reduced.

The goal is not to starve the horse. The goal is controlled, steady weight loss while still meeting the horse’s basic nutritional needs.

Exercise is also important, but only when the horse is sound. A horse with active laminitis or sore feet should not be forced into work. That can make damage worse. However, once a veterinarian clears the horse for exercise, consistent movement can help with weight control and metabolic health. For many horses, this may start with hand-walking or light riding and gradually increase as the horse becomes fitter.

Summer heat adds another challenge. In July, it may be hard to exercise an overweight horse safely during the hottest parts of the day. That does not mean exercise has to disappear entirely, but it may need to happen early in the morning, later in the evening or in shorter sessions. Heat, humidity, hoof soreness and fitness level all need to be considered.

If laminitis is suspected, management changes alone are not enough. A veterinarian should examine the horse, and radiographs may be needed to assess what is happening inside the hoof. A knowledgeable farrier is also critical. Proper trimming or therapeutic shoeing may be part of the plan, depending on the severity of the case.

Pain control should also be directed by a veterinarian. Medications can help manage pain and inflammation, but they must be used carefully. Some drugs can carry risks, especially if used incorrectly or for extended periods. Owners should not treat a laminitic horse with leftover medication and hope for the best.

There may also be cases where medication or supplementation is used as part of a broader EMS plan. Diet, weight loss and exercise remain the foundation, but veterinarians may recommend additional tools for certain horses. That is another reason EMS should not be treated as a do-it-yourself diagnosis. Each horse needs a plan based on its condition, bloodwork, feet, weight and management situation.

The most important message is prevention.

An easy keeper should not be ignored just because he has always been that way. A cresty neck should not be dismissed as normal. Fat pads should not be accepted as harmless. A few tender steps should not be explained away without a closer look.

Horse owners do not have to wait for a laminitis crisis to make changes. They can start by body condition scoring their horses honestly, limiting unnecessary feed, evaluating pasture access, asking their veterinarian about metabolic testing and working with their farrier to keep feet in good shape.

The easy keeper may still be a blessing. He may still be hardy, useful and economical. But he is not always low maintenance.

Sometimes the horse that seems easiest to feed is the one that requires the most discipline from the owner. Managing EMS risk is not about making a horse thin or miserable. It is about protecting his feet, his comfort and his future.

By July, the signs may already be there. The neck may be thicker. The pasture may have been too good. The riding may have slowed down because of the heat. The horse may be rounder than he was in spring.

That does not mean trouble is certain, but it does mean it is time to pay attention.

When easy keeper is not so easy, the best thing a horse owner can do is take it seriously before the horse is hurting.