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| Author |
Message |
    
Chris Bussler
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 1999 - 1:23 pm: |   |
I have a 2 year old BS filly that appears to be pigeon-toed when standing in a narrow stance. If she stands in a wider stance, then she appears straight. Her knees are straight. The farrier has been correcting her for the past 3-4 months but it doesn't appear to be helping. Last trim, she was done without any correction, and it appears to be a bit better. Have you ever seen anything like this? I started adding MSM to her feed about two weeks ago. |
The Advisor Vet, RN Oglesby DVM
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 - 7:14 am: | |
Hello Chris,
I do not recommend attempts to correct toe in or out conformation unless the problem has the hoof out of line with the pastern/fetlock. The front of the toe should line up with the front of the pastern which should line up with the front of the fetlock. Except in angular deformities of the lower leg, an unusual circumstance, the direction they point in is usually determined by the upper leg. Sometimes as high as the shoulder and elbow. By keeping the lower leg aligned you get the most functional foot. Yes, many mild conformation problems change with how the horse stands.
DrO |
Chris Bussler
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 - 9:24 am: | |
Thanks, DrO, I think it is better this way too. My vet says her legs and knees are very straight and he seems to think that maybe the bones in the pastern are longer on the outside of the leg. But he can't say for sure without xrays. There is no lameness, it just concerns me that this is going on. |
Kathleen Ford
New Member
Username: Kford
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2004 - 8:13 pm: | |
I am looking to purchase a AQHA mare, she is correct in every way other than she is mildly Pigeon Toed, her leg's and knee's are straight and the problem appears to be below the fetlock itself. When she moves forward at a trot she paddles out with both front feet but they return to a perfect forward facing position prior to landing on the ground again.
I am interested in using her as a pleasure / trail horse. How do you feel this will affect her ability to perform these tasks and will it effect her level of endurance on long trail rides?
She is a young mare, will be four in April, and a very sweet and sound headed mare. Is this a conformational problem I can over look with all the other things she has going for her, should I be concerned about how this will effect her in the years to come?
Sincerely, Kathleen |
Christine Holmes Bukowski
Member
Username: Canyon28
Post Number: 49
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2004 - 9:38 pm: | |
Your mare will be fine for any kind of riding. It is better for a horse to be pigeon toed, than to be toed out or splay footed. Splay footed horses tend to interfere when they move. a pigeon toed horse will never interfere or knock its feet together when moving. do not attempt to correct her now, she is much too old, and you will only end up with other problems , like heel or toe cracks or lameness, splints, etc. Have your farrier shoe her level, just the way she is. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9758
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2004 - 8:05 am: | |
Many horses with splay feet interfere but a little bit of toe out seems to be common enough to fall in the range of normal for horses and most do not interfere. Subjectively I think toed in horses have more problems in the lower limb than toed out. The devil is always in the details however: how much and at what level does the deformity develop. Your description that the deviation occurs low in the leg is a sign of further weakness.
Here is the problem Kathleen: horses with good conformation frequently go lame due to the normal stresses on the pastern and structures of the foot. We believe horses whose conformation that deviates from perfect are not as sturdy. This has to be balanced with the fact that many horses with mild deformities stay sound and the occasional horse with moderate to severe deformities stays sound: which of these will be your horse? No horse is perfect but if you are uncertain as to the significance of the conformation have someone you trust evaluate the horse.
DrO |
