Rare
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Wound or Laceration from Overreach Injury
Summary
When at speed, a horse over reaches with a hind foot and contacts the skin of the pastern or heel bulb on a front limb, a wound may result. These wounds are usually mild to moderate, but can be severe.
These injuries often involve the skin of the heel bulb and usually are "U" shaped skin flaps. Horses may be "stung" for a period after sustaining one of these, showing sudden lameness that usually resolves quickly depending on the severity of the injury.
Certainly, hooves that are overgrown contribute to over reaching injury. Whether a horse has a tendency to over reach is in large part a question of conformation. Horses with relatively long hind legs and short backs tend to do this, and those that track far forward with the hind limbs.
These injuries often involve the skin of the heel bulb and usually are "U" shaped skin flaps. Horses may be "stung" for a period after sustaining one of these, showing sudden lameness that usually resolves quickly depending on the severity of the injury.
Certainly, hooves that are overgrown contribute to over reaching injury. Whether a horse has a tendency to over reach is in large part a question of conformation. Horses with relatively long hind legs and short backs tend to do this, and those that track far forward with the hind limbs.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Good but dependent on structures injured.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Can shoeing or trimming alter the way my horse's limb moves and make this less likely?
Prevention
A horse's tendency to over reach is to a great extent conformational, but shoeing and trimming does have an effect on the arc of flight of the hooves. The heels and coronet bands can be protected from interference and over reaching with bell boots.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
