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Discussion on Toe Dragging
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New Member:
ptowne
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 20, 2011 - 9:10 pm:
My daughter's DWB gelding always drags both back toes at the trot, even when she has him really engaged. He drags them at the walk but not so noticeably. I've been assured by a trainer who has known the horse for several years that he has always dragged his toes, that it means nothing and there's nothing to be done about it. I just find it hard to swallow that a horse with nothing wrong with them would drag their toes like this. I am going to get a lameness eval done by my vet to check hind joints, etc. Levi is an 18 year old dressage schoolmaster who was imported from Holland 10 years ago when he was 8. He was retired from showing at PSG because he started changing late behind. Other than the toe dragging and the late changes he's pretty close to perfect. My daughter is learning so much with him. I want to take the best care of him that I can so they have several years ahead of them.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Nov 21, 2011 - 8:41 am:
My Arab used to do this, for years, and it was due to poor farrier work.
One of my daughter's jumping horses did this too when she was first imported and it was due to un-level feet with shoes slapped on over them.
I think that most foot dragging is a compensation because they can't get their front feet out of the way fast enough.
Break over needs to be improved and feet balanced laterally and medially.
That said, there are some neurological conditions due to a number of causes that may cause toe dragging in the rear feet.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011 - 9:03 am:
Hello Pamela,
Vicki's recommendation of evaluating trimming and balance and then correcting overly long feet and pushing the toe back with rockers and rolling as far as practical is my recommendation also. If the lameness exam is negative and you want to do a further check, try two weeks of bute to see if things change.
DrO
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