Posted 2017-10-17 5:00 PM Subject: RE: club foot issues???
Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
The horse in my avatar had a bad clubbed foot. After 2 years of farriers making it worse I finally found a balanced trimmer (just not 'Natural Balance") that helped him. He was so bad at one point I thought there was no coming back. The single biggest improvement came just from pulling his shoes. He was a little tender at first and had to wear boots at the VA Horse Center across the big gravel, but over time that wasn't an issue. I have now had so many people comment on how nice his feet are. I point out his 'club' foot, but it isn't anymore. He has two different front feet, but they are both perfectly balanced with great balance of heel/toe, and some of the most beautiful frogs and bars and soles. It's been 5 years since he's had shoes and has not taken one lame step. He used to fight the farrier but he just munches hay with the trimmer. He's a very consistent runner and this year won money all but 3 shows, including a state championship.
Posted 2017-10-17 5:29 PM Subject: RE: club foot issues???
Neat Freak
Posts: 11216 Location: Wonderful Wyoming
ITurnCans - 2017-10-17 3:09 PM I need some input on anyone's experience with a club foot horse and what it took to keep them in a performance career ?? Any info is appreciated ??
I have a friend that bought a daughter of Last Captive to use for hunter under saddle, as a baby. She got her cheap because of a club foot. That mare is around 12 now and has been sound up to now. Her soundness now stems more from stifle issues. She has been a very very successful show horse, winning several circuit championships and all around titles. Her best move was finding a farrier from the start that worked with club feet and staying with him all these yrs as well as x raying occasionally to know how things were looking inside. I wouldn't purposely buy one, but I don't think it is a death sentence either.
club foot issues???
