Very Common
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
Pigeon Toe (in Growing Foal or Adult)
Summary
Pigeon toe (fetlock varus) is an angular limb deformity in which the foot deviates inward at the fetlock. This sets up unequal forces across the lower limb joints and predisposes horses to arthritis and other injuries in the lower joints.
Horses with pigeon toe usually have excess inside (medial) hoof growth, and they paddle when they walk or trot. When viewed from the rear, paddling horses swing their front limbs to the outside.
In a youngster, growth across the growth plate (physis) can be altered with surgery. However, once growth plates fuse (at about 8 weeks of age) there is nothing that can be done to influence the conformation.
Management after that involves compensatory hoof trimming or shoeing, and reduced expectations. Some horses with mild variations of this abnormality have successful performance careers.
Horses with pigeon toe usually have excess inside (medial) hoof growth, and they paddle when they walk or trot. When viewed from the rear, paddling horses swing their front limbs to the outside.
In a youngster, growth across the growth plate (physis) can be altered with surgery. However, once growth plates fuse (at about 8 weeks of age) there is nothing that can be done to influence the conformation.
Management after that involves compensatory hoof trimming or shoeing, and reduced expectations. Some horses with mild variations of this abnormality have successful performance careers.
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.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Prognosis depends on the severity of the abnormality, whether lameness is present, and the age of the horse at the time of treatment.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Very Common
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Is there still something that can be done surgically to help the situation?
- How much improvement can we expect if we do surgery now?
- Are the growth plates fused yet?
- What corrective hoof care do I need to provide?
Prevention
Know normal conformation and recognize deviations. For young horses, contact your vet promptly to discuss surgical options before they are no longer available.