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  Discussion on Pedal Osteitis
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New Member:
Regal1

Posted on Sunday, Oct 3, 2004 - 7:52 pm:

I am about to have a 3 year old, unraced TB gelding vetted. He had a hx of being unsound last fall (2003) "on hard ground" per records, had radiographs done which showed coffin bone in (r) hoof 7 degree rotation, almost parallel to sole, some mild loss of bone density. (l) hoof greater degree (not specified) of rotation, no arthritis, navicular bone "reasonable", was recommended to make slightly club foot "clubbier", shoes were put on, shorter toe, longer heel. Has had shoes on for last 11 months, serviceably sound. Formal radiographic findings were "the distal interphalangeal joint is mildly flexed and the distal phalanx is somewhat short - club foot conformation". Also noted is that no signs of degenerative disease were noted. We obviously will have radiographs taken and reviewed, but my question is this: is this potentially manageable by showeing and dietary (calcium/phosphorous balance and supplements), as I ride jumpers/eventing. This horse as I mentioned is sound at this time but is not in any work program so is very unfit. Thank you for your time.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 3:15 am:

He'd better be cheap... it doesn't sound good but I'm sure Dr O can give chapter and verse.

All the best

Imogen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 7:07 am:

Hello Judy,
The rotation is most likely caused by allowing the front wall to pull away from the laminae. This is a common occurence with club feet and is usually a trimming fault caused by an attempt to get a more normal appearance to the foot. They were right to return the horse to remove this flare, making the foot look more upright. There is not the tension on the laminae and the sole at the toe will now grow stronger. Though the thin sole that had developed at the toe was most likely the cause of the lameness, the radiographic findings do not diagnose the cause of the lameness so we really cannot prognose the future of this now sound horse.

At three years of age you will not effect this conformation weakness with diet but proper trimming and shoeing can help the horse move better. I have seen clubby hunters and eventers but it is a weakness that I would not choose to start with, see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Club Foot.
DrO
Member:
Erika

Posted on Monday, Oct 4, 2004 - 8:38 am:

Hi Judy,
I have had experience with two club-footed horses. One is my 30+ year-old Morgan with both front feet congenitally clubby (long story--I basically "inherited" this horse. I would have been afraid to buy one with such feet!) Nonetheless, he has been serviceably sound his whole life with trail riding and fox-hunting. In fact he still does it! No jumping, though, ever. With care, he can even go barefoot for lay off times.
Also had an off-the-track Thoroughbred with one club foot in front. Not as severly so as the Morgan's. This horse jumped 3' comfortably, and foxhunted. Still sound by 13 when I sold him--for mental reasons--not soundness issues!
I hope your case turns out as well. But eventing is certainly more stressful than anything I did with these horses. Good luck.
Erika
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