Posted by lee mc on February 12, 2001 at 20:18:02:
In Reply to: Re: Early Stages? posted by Patty Stiller on February 10, 2001 at 15:39:53:
: : The 1st time I saw this horse (4 yrs old) soon after he was bought last Nov at sale something about his lower leg, fetlock down, looked weird. And of course he was shod completely out of balance. I pulled and trimmed him. Everytime I see this horse,quite often as is pastured close by, he stands with his left fore alittle cocked. Not really pointing, but doesn't seem to "ever" put wait on heels. However, he is Not lame. He actually travels out pretty nice and picks up both leads, etc. Though he hasn't been ridden much (winter in WY!) Any ideas if this could be early signs of Navicular? The horse is not built chunky and has rounded hooves, not narrow, but they are on the small size,but again he is not heavily built. The guy will be calving on him soon. Any suggestions on taking precationary measures when shoeing him to maybe nip it in the butt. Or does this even sound like it has Navicular possibilities? I trimmed him again yeasterday and seems to want to grom heels forward. Will probably be shoeing him in 4 weeks.
: : Thanks for any imput. lee mc
: One would assume (I know... that can always get us in trouble) that if the horse had any type of navicular area issues that there would be pain, and subsequently lameness. What do hoof testers show? Have any diagnostics been done?
: If this were my client I would insist on a vet exam including a complete set of radiographs of the feet and lower leg.. If thisturns up nothing, and it is just underrun heels causing excess tension on the deep flexor tendons, then properly trimming the heels back and shoeing for correct breakover ,combined with wedges enough to get the heels on the ground to reduce the tendon tension should help.Yhe horse could also be sufering from contracted superficial flexor tendons,which would cock the ankle forward but not the foot. Just a possibility. Patty
Patty,Thanks for your response. As of yet no diagnostics, but what you said about contracted SFT may be the "weird" appearance I see from the fetlock down. Seems like the prognosis may be guarded in that case. Any measures to take other than severing the SFT? I know I am getting ahead of the game without the vet but while I'm checking responses I might as well get as informed as I can. If this is excess tension on the DFT after proper trim/shoeing, how long before tension subsides?
later, lee mc