Angular Limb Deformities in Foals
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

When newborns stand up for the first time, their limbs frequently have several abnormalities. Many of these are related to laxity of ligaments and tendons and will correct in the first few days as long as the foal can get up and move around normally. You can divide these abnormalities into two main groups, depending on whether you can see the abnormality while standing in front of the foal or from the side:

• A deformity best seen while looking at the side of a foal involves the flexor tendons: see Flexural Limb Deformities of Foals.
• A deformity best seen from in front of the foal, as pictured below, is an angular limb deformity and dealt within this article.

With angular deformities the normal straight line of the leg when viewed from the front has a bend in it. The deformity can occur in any joint of the leg but is seen most commonly in the knee (carpus), fetlock, or hock (tarsus). Severe bilateral angular and flexural laxity may result in a foal that is called "wind swept." There are several common causes of the problem. The treatment and prognosis are dependent of location and severity of the problem. This article discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of angular limb deformities in foals.

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