Toeing out in back...imput please

[Travyhorse]

I have a yearling colt that is in the stages of growing yet, but I still would like some imput about him toeing out in the back. He is still growing so I know that it might pass when he is done filling out. He is going to be a show horse however and although it might not interfere under saddle it would prohibit him from the halter ring. He toes out slightly in the back. Would any type of trimming help him when he's growing to help him straighten out or would it just put stress on his tendons. I talked with my farrier and he says that horses joints close around 18 months and then if he is still toed out then he will be forever. Should I be doing something right now. Also is it true that the joints do close around 18 months, even for Arabians?? Thanks so much.
-Cassie

[Rick Burten]

All horses stand , naturally, slightly toed out behind. So long as they are not cow hocked, base narrow, etc, it is normal and correct.

That said, the conventions of the show ring are different. Horses are expected/required to stand in what is truely an unnatural position. They can be trained to do this without resorting to a trim that will damage them.

Trimming your youngster to correct something that does not need correcting will only result in damage further up the limb(s). In this case, the potential for damage to the hocks is the primary concern. Joints close from the bottom(lowest) up. The knees and hocks will close, depending somewhat on breed, at anywhere from appx. 24 to 36 months. We tend to obscess over the knees closing and overlook the fact the the last joints to close are in the spine/back. Which when you think about it, has a lot to do with why so many horses with so much riding potential, end up as abysmal failures and dissapointments.

Besides, halter is a short term thing. Riding extends for the useful life of the horse. Personally, I'd rather have a sound riding animal.

Rick

[Travyhorse]

You are right Rick. I just don't want it to become a problem with him hitting the inside of his hooves or anything. I suppose my main concern is that because he is such a wonderful animal I would like to keep him a stud. Now I don't know many people who want to breed to a stud that is toed-out in the back. I wouldn't want to take the risk of corrective shoeing anyways. Thanks for the imput.
-Cassie

[MalindaZ]

Cassie,

I personally wouldn't want to breed to a horse who is "halter straight".

Good horsemen and breeders of true performance horses know the difference between cow hocks and natural toeing out of the hind legs.

Malinda

[Maryann Kleynendorst]

For some of the best info available on conformation try getting your hands on Dr. Deb Bennett's book and video's. I think they're available through Equus Magazine. There are so many conformation myths out there, but this is one of the most common and is perpetuated in shoeing books and a lot of other literature that's out there. Most horses that I've seen that are truly conformationally straight behind are bow-legged, post-legged and can't move worth a damn. I do a lot of clinics on Conformation of the Performance Horse and overcoming peoples perceptions of what has come to be accepted as good conformation is pretty tough.

I can't agree more with Rick's post. I shoe for a lot of AQHA types and they've all got a million tricks to make their horses look good in the halter ring.

Good luck with your youngster.

Maryann

[Moses Shaw]

I like to see horses hind toes pointing at 11 and 1 o'clock, Simon Curtis's text Farriery foal to racehorse is outstnading for this in it he states what part of the limb can be affect up until what age ie; up until four months the pasterns can be helped ( just an example) one of the best texts ever written and for those going to the summit in cincy youll get to see the man for yourself. i highly reccomend that text to anyone in the horse industry. Be Safe Mo