Very Common
Less 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
Club Foot, Flexural Deformity (in Adult)
Synonyms: Box Foot, Donkey Foot, Mule Foot
Summary
Club foot refers to a hoof that is more upright than normal. It is often associated with a concave front (dorsal) hoof wall, high (often contracted) heels, and widening of the white line from mechanical stretching of the hoof wall attachments (the laminae). Adult club foot requires a completely different approach to treatment than juvenile club foot.
In many cases, mild club foot is not associated with lameness or decreased performance. Many great performance horses have managed to perform well with a club foot. However, there is a greater likelihood of lameness occurring in club feet than in normal feet. There is increased sole bruising and other problems of abnormal weight bearing in horses with club foot. Radiographs may show chronic changes to the coffin bone from excessive concussion, and excessive pull from the deep flexor tendon.
In most cases of adult club foot, it is not possible to simply shorten the heel to create a normal conformation. The problem with club foot is abnormal forces generated in the hoof. The natural concussion dampening of the lower limb is lost.
A grading system is used to describe severity:
Grade 1 - Three degrees greater angle than the opposite, pronounced coronary band.
Grade 2 - Growth rings, broken forward.
Grade 3 - Dorsal hoof wall is obviously concave.
Grade 4 - Angle greater than 80 degrees will require surgical approach.
In many cases, mild club foot is not associated with lameness or decreased performance. Many great performance horses have managed to perform well with a club foot. However, there is a greater likelihood of lameness occurring in club feet than in normal feet. There is increased sole bruising and other problems of abnormal weight bearing in horses with club foot. Radiographs may show chronic changes to the coffin bone from excessive concussion, and excessive pull from the deep flexor tendon.
In most cases of adult club foot, it is not possible to simply shorten the heel to create a normal conformation. The problem with club foot is abnormal forces generated in the hoof. The natural concussion dampening of the lower limb is lost.
A grading system is used to describe severity:
Grade 1 - Three degrees greater angle than the opposite, pronounced coronary band.
Grade 2 - Growth rings, broken forward.
Grade 3 - Dorsal hoof wall is obviously concave.
Grade 4 - Angle greater than 80 degrees will require surgical approach.
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 is good in most cases, especially with check ligament surgery. Prognosis is better in young horses and in less severe cases. There are also many horses that perform fine with a club foot. Much depends on the other structural factors of the foot.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:
- Will this conformational abnormality interfere with my expectations for this horse?
- Does the problem cause lameness?
- Is there anything that can be done to help the problem?
Prevention
Recognize the problem in young horses and treat it then. Be on the lookout for this common condition in adult horses. Consider the grade and work with a qualified veterinarian and farrier to manage the problem effectively. It may be critical to shoe or trim the horse on a short interval in order to "keep up" with the problem.
Related References:
Dryden V. Managing the Adult Club Foot. AAEP Proceedings, Focus on the Foot 2013:75-77.