What could this be?

[Samotis]

I am possibly taking this horse in as a project. He is turning 4 in April. Not ridden yet and basically has just been in a backyard. He has QH papers and is about 15.2.

I was taking pictures of him today and his left front looks funky to me. His feet trim is awful, its almost like the farrier trimmed the middle and not the sides and they are making his feet "dish'!

He is for free and I would just like to break him to ride and sell him to someone for a pleasure or basic all around horse.

He toes in which is obvious and is very straight in front, but he doesn't move bad or interfere when working. (at least not trotting in a cirlce on a lunge)

The bump on his left front is a little odd and has anyone seen this before? Is it a confo defect or some kind of early on injury? He is crooked in front and very straight legged, but I have see a lot of QH's look this way and have club feet (which he doesn't have) His heels look great, the trim is just really hindering his hoof growth!

Just looking for some more eyes. I can see he isn't perfect, but he is so sweet and willing to please, I want to at least do the best that I can for him!

Thanks!

[Arathita]

Which bump are you looking at? The front of the cannon? He is hairy, upright and of difficult trimming - it is hard to tell what you are looking at. I hope you find him a nice home.

[Samotis]

the third picture. His left front. yes, in the front bottom of the cannon.

I just would like a horse to ride and I could also be helping this guy get a riding home. I just want to make sure I am not getting into anything that I can't fix!

I have the time to put shoes on him, get him more fit and ridden. I just want to make sure he is physically able!;)

He is the cutest darn thing, I know that someone will want him!

[Arathita]

I think that might be the least of his limb issues. It might be due to a strain in a tendon that could occur for many reasons. It is not wholey uncommon - I have seen this on dressage horses. Is it permanent or did it just happen? it might decline over time or it might calcify and be asymptomatic. Is it warm to the touch? Is he sensitive or lame on the leg?

Does he move evenly and soundly right now? If he is sound and the lump appears calcified, I would not worrry. I would worry more about the upright pasterns and the feet. He can hopefully be a fine companion to a person looking for a relaxed type of riding horse. If he is sound I am sure he can be this.

Good luck with him and finding him a home.

[vita_impavida]

All I can say is. ekk. I mean that in a good/bad way. This guy is built like a carbon copy of my very first horse, so long ago. I still have her, and she is my love, but she is as broke as they come. Pretty much from the elbow down nothing but a train wreck.

I know my girl was ok until her early/mid teens and even then it was made worse by a horrific injury. (shattered splint bone up by her knee, very very bad)

Make sure while you have him, and his next home that he maintains on the lighter side for weight. Heaving around extra pounds will ruin his knees and fetlocks quicker than you can believe.

As you already noticed his feet arnt right, and just like my girl grows a toe like no tomorrow. My girl does fine with a good trim (knock on wood** her feet are still good)

My girl ended up developing capped knees. They look awful (she is 24 now) and the first one started from significant weight baring after her shattered splint at 13.

What is his breeding by chance? I cant tell you how much he looks like my Lady! Down to the darker tail and lighter mane on sorrel with a star! :)

I wish you all the luck in the world with this guy!! Hes young enough and in caring hands! Hes already ahead of the game! Maybe I can send you some pictures of my girl when she was younger..... I really cant get over how similar they are! :)

[vita_impavida]

Ps.... haha. sorry... got distracted.. :)

I agree with Arathita, its in a location that says tendon (or ligament underneath) which would not surprise me based on his build. ALLL weight on the front end. Like most QH he needs to be taught to carry himself evenly. As long as theres no heat, and hes not lame, then its probably old and cant do anything about it now.

I would suggest a flexion/extension test. Also, talk to your farrier when hes out, If it has to do with the legs, a farrier should know.

Again good luck!!

[JCIbarra]

Is it a bump on his cannon or is it as if he is "knuckling over"? Hard to tell from the photos, but it could be a mild contracted tendon issue.

[Samotis]

I need to look at it more closely. He wasn't lame when I lunged him last week. He moves fine for his type. He was a little foot sore from the rocks, but nothing severe. He is dead broke on the ground which should make breaking him to a saddle easy.

I will poke around that left front and see if there is any pain associated with it. It could be a growth related issue. Growth plates maybe?

it does look like his tendons are a little contracted now that you mention it. He doesn't move bad or like he is tipped forward. He is pretty balanced from what I could see at the walk and trot.

I am pretty sure he is reining bred, as his older brother was.