Long yearling with wonky leg....

[rideagoldenpony]

I have a long yearling filly that is staying with a friend. She's been there since early this summer, and I haven't seen her in person since she left.

She seems to be developing a rather severe toe out on one front. It is being cared for by the farrier every 4 weeks -- but it seems like it is getting worse.

When I bought this filly as a weanling, she was straight, and I didn't notice anything being off when she left. But over the summer, the problem has become apparent.

Both sire and dam are straight in the front, so I'm really puzzled.

I have seen a mention a couple of times here on the breeding forum of a mineral/supplement given to youngsters that are having growth problems. Does anyone remember what that is?

[VirginiaBred]

You need to look at her front legs. Wonder if she has an offset knee?

[VirginiaBred]

Progressive Rejuvenaide

http://www.prognutrition.com/EquineProducts.htm

[JB]

...and more frequent trimming.

And xrays.

[Daydream Believer]

Honestly...if she is a yearling, I would think from the fetlocks down, there is nothing you can change at this point. The fetlock joints "close" at about 2-3 months old. If the deviation is in the knee, you might still have some time to make corrections. I'd get a good vet out to see her asap as I think your window to do periostial stripping is getting short.

[rideagoldenpony]

Honestly...if she is a yearling, I would think from the fetlocks down, there is nothing you can change at this point. The fetlock joints "close" at about 2-3 months old. If the deviation is in the knee, you might still have some time to make corrections. I'd get a good vet out to see her asap as I think your window to do periostial stripping is getting short.

I'm thinking it is more knee related. I'm going to ask for pictures ASAP.

[Silly Mommy]

IME long yearlings are in the WORST part of their Yak stage. If she is narrow chested right now and appears to toe out, she will probably grow out of it (with balanced, consistant trimming).

OTOH, check her opposite hind leg for any injuries or pain (SI and stifle come to mind, or even an old abcess)--- if there is an injury there, she could be compensating. Trust me, I have one that had surgery on a RH stifle, and as a long yearling she "toed out" on the LF. Now as a long two year old (with rehab) has straightened out almost entirely.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I agree with Silly Mommy, especially the leggy ones. Does she appear to toe out the whole leg? If so, she will probably straighten when the chest widens as long as you stay on top of the trims.

[Samotis]

We had a clinic in Kentucky with Oliver Brown(hunter breeding handler and works at the TB sales) and he said he doesn't mind when they toe out as yearlings. It is just a growth thing and when the chest fills out it should go away.

Only thing is that if it seems that severe in only one front leg. I would look a little further.

[JB]

I don't see a yearling healthily developing a toed-out stance that didn't used to be there, particularly in only one leg.

I see a suckling/weaner starting out equally toed-out, to be "corrected" as the chest widens.

I do think it's a really good idea to check the opposite hind leg :)

[Altamont Sport Horses]

Since this is a problem that developed since she has gone to your friend's place and you did not see it before then I would be concerned about the farrier providing the foot care to this youngster. It could be any of the other things mentioned and you should check into them but do not automatically assume that the farrier is doing a good job just because he/she is working on the foot every 4 weeks. I've seen some farriers really screw up young legs/feet and you do not want it to stay like this permanently. I'd recommend seeing your filly and making sure that the foot is properly trimmed and balanced.

[Molly Malone]

The farrier him/herself may be making the problem worse if they themselves are unevenly 'handed' - it's harder if you are right handed to trim the offside.

[tri]

If you rule out any kind of deviation and the farrier is trimming evenly, it may be due to how she stands, eats, etc. We have had some really hard ground causing toes to break off. I've had a filly that tends to flare on one side.

Sometimes I have young, rapidly growing babies trimmed every two weeks and consider going ahead and putting shoes on.

I had a colt that would break off one toe - pawing during eating, hard/drought baked ground. It made him look clubby as the heel grew and the toe broke off. Put a shoe on for about 4 or 5 trimmings and that took care of it.

[ThreeDays]

I agree. Go see her in person and look at her legs yourself. Look at the leg you're mentioning and look at how the knee is set then how the fetlock is set. Then look at her hoof and look underneth to the frog and see how the toe and hoof is being balanced. Look carefully. I've seen many examples of how the hoof may look balanced and rounded viewing it from the ground - but then looking underneth at the frog and noticing that the frog is pointing in the wrong direction or offset (commonly seen when a farrier simply rasps off the flair and doens't pay attention to a mild offset knee or fetlock. The hoof then appears balanced but is actually twisting the bones. Wish I had a picture to show this. It can be quite pronounced.

And as mentioned above - look to the opposite hind leg/ foot. Try to see if she is wearing down the inside or outside of her fronts.

A good farrier is priceless. A poor or average farrier can do more harm than leaving them alone.

We're assuming that the filly is sound and doesn't have any inflamation or heat in her joints?

Hate to point a finger at the farrier without knowing. The one being used might be very good. But good to double check or even speak with him/her. They might be quite aware of the problem and working on it.

I personally have had many expereinces with horses walking onto my farm from good reputable farms using 'good' farriers. And I can't tell you how many times I was just appalled at the way the feet were being balanced.