Posted by Laura Staples on July 16, 2001 at 16:37:30:
I have an opportunity to buy a very nice thoroughbred gelding that overreaches badly at the walk. He appears (to my untrained eye) to be hitting the bottom of his front hoof with the toe of his hind hoof. He does this when loose, when led, and when ridden, and he does it evenly on both sides, nearly every step when walking out. He has to have bell boots anytime he is out of his stall -without them, he pulls shoes. He only has shoes in the front. He does not interfere at any other gait. I suspect that my very skilled farrier will be able to correct this problem, but I have to make a decision on the horse before he can see him. I will be vet checking the horse, but I don't want to waste money on the vet check if there is no chance of correcting this problem. Do you think there is a good chance that the problem can be managed? His feet look well cared for and balanced, and not overly long but his front shoes have a slight overhang and his hind toes are not squared off.
Thanks!