Badly rolled under feet - Help!

[rosie_wilson]

I just bought a yearling filly at a sale today - before looking at her feet - I know, don't tell me! Anyway she is in a real mess in fact its pretty amazing she's sound!

Three of her feet are very badly rolled under on the outside, she has been like this for some time from the looks of things. The outside hoof wall has grown right across her sole, right up to the frog.

Interestingly she's actually got pretty good limb conformation and still moves straight. My farrier's due on Thursday and I'm hoping he can work a mini miracle on this one.

Will post pics as soon as I can......but in the meantime any advice greatfully recieved!

[Jeanie Connors]

If she's sound and comfortable, don't do anything. Turn her out as you would normally, maybe be a little cautious if you walk her over a slick surface (like pavement), but otherwise, just wait until the farrier comes out. A hoof wall wouldn't grow like that in a few days time, so a few more days shouldn't cause any trouble for her.

Hope it turns out well!

[rosie_wilson]

My farrier, being the star that he is, came today instead! Unfortunately he thinks that this one is beyond what he can do....

My vet is coming this afternoon to have a look before we book in for xrays and hopefully to sort a referal to the guy my farrier has reccomended.

Had been pretty sure my farrier would have been able to sort her so am now a little concerned that this is going to be a no win situation. Am also starting to get a bit scared on what it might cost but am thinking I'll have to grit my teeth and bear it as long as I can! It's so frustrating that all of this could have been prevented just by regular trimming!

[Jeanie Connors]

I'm very sorry to hear it, Rosie :( . Is there a way you can post pictures here? Maybe someone here would be able to offer suggestions, for you or for your farrier to try. Don't give up hope yet :) .

[caballus]

Rosie ... I'm not going to say that this CAN be "fixed" or not but if your horse is comfortable on these hooves and sound as is, then maintaining them should be what is necessary. Looking at the hoof it is, indeed, a curious condition ... dependant upon how that heel is or is not attached to sole/frog, etc. would direct the manner of treatment. If it is merely overgrown then I see no issue with getting it back to "normal" over series of trims and time; if it is attached to sole and frog congenitally, yet the horse is sound, then maintenance would be the key to keeping him sound and comfortable. While it may look nasty, if the horse moves normally and is sound on it then its merely a "blemish" rather than an "unsoundness", I would think.

--Gwen

[Barefoottree]

You know, getting to this filly's feet now is better then having found this much later. Xrays would be a very good idea and from various angles to determine the bone conditions for now and have later for future comparisons.

Baby hooves can change so quickly for good or bad. She's gotten a head start heading off in the wrong direction but if the right corrective work can get a hold, things could get turned around in her favor towards a much happier direction. The corrective work just has to set things up to do it and conditions that would continue to support the efforts vs undermine them.

If it were my filly, I wouldn't throw in the towel over getting things better. It's what's can be done vs worrying about the "ifs, ands or buts". You already know that neglect allowed the hooves to get this way. Now that they'll be getting attention, hopefully it'll be the kind to turn things around.

I wish you luck and hope!

Tree

[Rick Burten]

Believe it or not, I agree with Tree! :eek: :D (Quick, call Ripley's)

I think the trimming protocol needs to be both aggressive and frequent and I'd want radiographs of not only her hooves, but her pasterns and perhaps even her knees.

Absent any glaring complications, there does not seem to be any reason the feet cannot attain a normal shape and function.

Depending on the "after" of the trim and the rads, the addition of a hoof composite to further 'influence' proper hoof growth may be indicated.

[rosie_wilson]

Well we've been for xrays today and its good news. The frontal plane shows no deviations from straight but the lateral view shows a club foot.

Vets opinion is that the fact she has essentially been walking on her hoof wall has probably worsened the club as the stresses and strains have been all wrong. Hence a slight defect is now amplified.

She is only a pretty young yearling so we should be early enough to have a good crack at it! Will keep you all posted on our progress.

[kanderso]

[QUOTE=rosie_wilson]Well we've been for xrays today and its good news. The frontal plane shows no deviations from straight but the lateral view shows a club foot....

I thought you'd said that she was rolled under on 3 hooves? Are all 3 clubbed?

Kris