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  Discussion on Paddling
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Member:
Jhamilto

Posted on Friday, Dec 24, 2004 - 8:35 pm:

My recently-acquired 7-yr-old Arabian gelding paddles with his right front foot only. How would paddling develop asymmetrically? Will it affect his way of going or interfere with any activities? I detect no other significant conformational flaws in his legs/feet, or anywhere for that matter.
Thanks!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 7:54 am:

Legs can have different confirmation resulting in a different foot flight. The different confirmation could be congenital or developmental: was the horse born this way or is this something that developed as he grew or perhaps most worrisome is if this is a recent change.

Without seeing the horse actually moving it is hard to comment on its significance but there are sound horses that paddle.
DrO
Member:
Jhamilto

Posted on Saturday, Jan 1, 2005 - 9:19 pm:

DrO:
Unfortunately, I do not know the history of this horse - he was purchased at an auction with no info provided. A big gamble, yes, but he looked and acted great except for the asymmetrical paddling! However, this didn't appear to interfere at all with his movement.
If this is a recent change - which you suggest might be worrisome - how would that come about and what is the prognosis?
Thanks so much for your help.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 2, 2005 - 1:49 pm:

Many horses paddle their whole lives and stay sound. The thing that worries me is the unilateral nature of the gait, this suggests to me this may be an acquired problem. As a acquired problem it may indicate a problem that will continue to worsen or put stress on joints that did not grow adapted to this motion. Without seeing the motion I have a hard time guessing the cause or prognosing the problem Joan. Two things can be done to help you answer these questions: First if the location of the paddling motion can be localized a careful exam for pathology can be done. Second is a exam of the distal joints for signs of sensitivity to flexion, swelling in the joint capsules, or if you want to pursue this further radiographic evidence of early arthritis.
DrO
New Member:
Cmdawson

Posted on Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 - 12:52 am:

Hello, don't mean to crash your party, but I can't seem to start a new thread... I have a track mare given to me that has an osselet on the right front ankle. She paddles on that ankle and is bowed on the other leg(bowed twice). Are you saying that she may have acquired the paddling action as she put more stress on that ankle because of the bow and as a consequence developed the paddle?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 - 11:08 am:

Chris, "may have" is a qualifier that allows for almost any possibility. Yes, it is possible but with a osslet present you have to wonder if there might not be a mechanical cause or if lame on that leg perhaps the horse finds it easier to go that way. Lastly, since we are talking about "may haves" just because it is unilateral does not rule out he was born this way.

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DrO
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