Posted by Tanja on June 01, 2003 at 23:27:27:
In Reply to: Re: Clubfoot Question posted by Gary on June 01, 2003 at 22:55:52:
: : My filly is now two and when she was 12 mo old due to some improper trimming early on she was trying to develop a clubfoot on her LF. The new farrier we switched to then charged us $250 for a procdedure he did to correct the problem. He manmade 2 devices and put them on her front feet, they had to stay on for 6 weeks. After a month they came off and she was fine, her feet had adjusted along w/her groth and the early signs of clubbing in her LF were gone. Since then he came out and trimmed her every 4 weeks. Now that she's turned 2, he wants to put shoes on her. She is not being rdden at all, I do ground training, light lounging/saddling/bridling w/her only. He says she NEEDS to have shoes in order to make sure she doesnt club again. In fact, I looked at her feet today, he keeps so much heel off of her in the front it almost looks like she is getting contracted heels now. (!) I didn't plan on shoing her until she was ridden at age 3, I would appreciate ANY advice as to shoe or or to wait till she's older. Thanks.
: Do you know for certain that bad trimming caused your horse to be club footed? What were the "Devices" the new guy put on? I would and I'm sure every other farrier that reads these boards would love to know the secret this guy has discovered?? Would love to hear more details! Thanks, Gary
Gary,
I am not a farrier and can't really describe to you as to how these devices work in specific detail etc. BUT I do have lots and lots of pics I took DURING this procedure. To me, he covered the front of her hoof with what looked like pvc or similar, about half way up and what they did is they pulled the flexor tendon back into place, allowing her to grow normal. She was only slightly starting to club, getting a little bench kneed etc. with her angle showing the early signs in her LF. Our new farrier told us she had been trimmed incorrectly, which made her predesposed to it (now this what he said) and after checking the old farriers background I found out he wasn;t really a certified journeyman farrier. He was just a horseowner member of an association. Big difference I know but that;s how I learned to pay attention to the little business cards from people and make sure to check them out before they work on my horse. For those interested I can send u the photos to see for yourself what he did on her. But my question was more about her need to be shod now or not. THanks.