Posted by Daryn Chase on September 02, 2001 at 22:24:00:
In Reply to: Re: 2YR. OLD PACER HITTING KNEE posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on September 02, 2001 at 16:05:48:
: : I HAVE A 2YR. OLD PACER THAT HITS HIS RIGHT KNEE. HE DIDN'T START HITTING UNTIL HE TRAINED BELOW 2:10.TRIED SQUARING HIS FRONT LEFT TO THE INSIDE,HAVE TRIED ALUMINUM AND STEEL.THE FASTER HE GOES THE HARDER HE HITS,RECENTLY RACE TIMED IN 1:55.3. BOUGHT A SET OF PROTECTO GO STRAIGHTS(SPREADERS)HAVENT TRIED THEM YET, WILL THEY HELP? PULLED HIS SHOES AND TURNED HIM OUT FOR NOW.ANY SUGGESTIONS?
: I would asume he is hitting his knee with the opposite hoof. If this is the case, you might try a little more weight to the outside branch of the shoe to keep the hoof flight wider. Half rounds may help him break over where he wants. Forcing a breakover can "snap" the hoof back into its desired flight pattern and cause an overcompensation.
: M. W. Myers, D.V.M.
: Presently your question is to vague to give you any sort of help.His conformation(toes out?) may dictate that he travels close.Kneel down behind your horse,with him standing on a level surface,are the heels the same height on the right hoof as the left.Are both hooves the same width?Your horse must be traveling straight.If he is bearing or running out,there are no shoes that will keep him from hitting his knee!If he was traveling wide down to the speed of 2:10 and then started to come into his knee,it was probably just a colt soreness,and turning him out to mature was the right thing to do.