Splints do not usually develop from kicks and such, but from sshock to the bone structure. If it's the result of a kick, it should heal in a matter of several weeks at the most, where typical splints can take as much as two years of rest to rehabilitate. Hard work on hard surfaces can producw splints, and continued work of that kind can keep a horse unsound almost forever. I've had to rest some thoroughbreds for as much as 2 years for complete healing. Lack of blood flow in the affected area is the cause of slow healing. Too much or too strenuous work with a young horse can easily generate splints, as can jumping a horse before the age of skeletal maturity. In general, all tissue that is not fleshy will heal very slowly, as the flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, is much reduced in the harder tissues, such as bone, ligaments, hamstrings, hooves, etc. This nearly always results in a lame animal for a period of time. Thre is almost no way to speed up the healing process, short of introducing high levels of oxygen-carrying material(iron supplments) in an effort to supercharge the healing process...but dosage can be tricky, and should be left up to a vet, as these boosters can get toxix quickly if overdose occurs. Sounds like you need a good vet, and acceptance of the fact that in order to take proper care of your horse, you'll have to accept the costs that accompany the vet's expertise. Suggest also you ask horsey friends for recommendations of a vet who is a good equestrian "leg man" in your area. A good vet will know the skill levels of most vets in the area, and can also recommend one best suited to the problem. Vets are like us...there are those who love dogs, others love cows(ugh) etc, and will have expertise above the ordinary when the animal they love is the patient.
