Club Foot in Horses
Key takeaways
Club foot in horses is a common deformity of the coffin joint that causes asymmetry in the hooves.
- It is not always clear when this difference can be considered a club foot
- Club feet present with an excessively upright hoof and a long, contracted heel
- Club foot has a strong genetic component and often develops in foals before birth
- Acquired club foot can be caused by a mix of factors, such as pain that leads the foal to load the foot abnormally, a diet rich in calories, a mineral imbalance, inflammation of the bone, and trauma
- Diagnostics consist of a complete physical evaluation including a lameness examination
- X-rays might be necessary to determine the degree of deformity
- In foals, the condition can be corrected early through surgery or glue-on shoes -In adult horses, management focuses on corrective shoeing and trimming, and, in severe cases, surgery
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A closer look: Club Foot in Horses
Club foot is one of the most common deformities in horses. Usually, club foot affects both front legs with one being more severe than the other. Many foals are born with a club foot and it can usually be corrected if treated early. If successfully corrected, club foot does not recur; otherwise, affected horses need regular trimming and shoeing. Depending on the severity of the malformation, most horses can lead a normal and even athletic life with club foot. Veterinary examination is recommended for horses suspected to have club foot.
Risk factors
There are various degrees of club foot severity:
Grade 1 is the mildest form. It might be hard to spot and presents as only minor difference from the other foot
Grade 2 is more noticeable, with a higher degree of difference from the other foot
Grade 3 presents as a noticeable dish of the hoof wall and might show a prominent or bulging coronary band
Grade 4 is the most severe form, with the hoof being almost the same length at the heel and the toe
Depending on its severity, club foot frequently leads to secondary lameness, hoof cracks, and laminar inflammation.
There is some evidence that thoroughbreds have higher rates of club foot.
Possible causes
Club foot can be a congenital deformity, presenting in foals at birth.
Acquired club foot can have several causes, including:
- Genetics
- Excessive exercise
- Diet (e.g., mineral imbalances, overfeeding)
- Traumatic injury
- Inflammation of the bone
Main symptoms
The main symptom of club foot is a noticeable mismatch between the feet.
Testing and diagnosis
The diagnostic process involves:
- Physical examination
- Lameness examination
- Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasound, to detect the flexural deformity
Steps to Recovery
Treatment varies depending on patient age and severity of the malformation.
In foals, the condition can be fully corrected, especially if it is caught early in development. Treatment usually consists of surgical correction or correction via glue-on shoes. Pain-relief medication might be needed as well. The antibiotic oxytetracycline may be used for its tendon-relaxing properties.
In mature horses, treatment is lifelong and focuses on trimming and corrective shoeing to redistribute weight and improve foot biomechanics. In severe cases, surgery can help relieve the tension on the affected tendon.
Most horses with club foot are still able to have successful athletic careers.
Prevention
As club foot is primarily a genetic deformity, prevention is often not possible. In both foals and adult horses, the best prevention is recognizing asymmetry of the hooves early to prevent further damage or secondary conditions.
Is Club Foot in Horses common?
Club foot is one of the most common deformities in horses.
Typical Treatment
In foals:
- Surgical correction
- Antibiotics
- Pain-relief medication
- Glue-on shoes
In mature horses:
- Surgery
- Corrective shoeing
- Trimming
