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Discussion on Whip-like hoof movement
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Member:
Herbert
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Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 7:45 pm:
I have a 5-yr-old Connemara who recently started moving in an odd manner. His front hooves (though most pronounced on the right) have started to 'flick' in a whip-like movement several times while in the air just before landing. This is more noticeable when going down an incline, probably because there's more air time before landing.
He's not lame, but it's disturbing to watch. I've seen dressage horses doing an extended trot flicking their distal front limbs in a similar way. What the heck is this, how do you describe it if looking through this website for information and why does he do it? Kathy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 7:55 am:
The motion you describe during the extended trot of dressage horses represents the balancing of the extensor and flexor forces acting on the foot just prior to the foot landing. The extensor force overshoots just a bit then the flexor reacts and a slight oscillatory motion is set up until it is dampened out by the same structures.
If your horse does this while trotting or even with an extended walk and there are no other symptoms I do not think this represents a problem KRH.
DrO
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