Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Club foot

In a message dated 8/14/2002 8:14:55 AM Mountain Standard Time, ridecamp-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> From:     Ridecamp Guest <guest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [RC]   Club footed horse
>
>
> angela mccorkle@xxxxxxxxxxx
> I have a gelding that when I start a ride he is very excited and=
> later at the vet checks he is calmer but he has a pretty sever=
> club foot there fore his feet hit the ground at different times=
> so it sometimes appears that he is slightly off or lame.  He=
> does have a scar on one of his heals but going down the trail he=
> will take both leads and never acts like it hurts at all.  I=
> have had him blocked by a vet and his gait never changes.  It=
> seems worse the longer his feet get.  Is this a common thing for="">
> club footed horses?  I have never had a horse with a club foot=
> before.  He is a fast and fun horse to ride I am just scared=
> that he is going to get pulled for being lame because it looks a=
> little off.  I can put pressure all up both legs and he shows no=
> signs of tenderness and never tries to quit or walk so I am=
> thinking it doesn't hurt.  Anyone ever experienced this before? =
> Thanks for your input.  Angela mccorkle@xxxxxxxxxxx

Many years ago RT Muffin was pulled after WINNING the ROC due to his funny way of going on a club foot. I rode a mare with a club foot for 12 years, but didn't put a lot of pressure on her and had a very good farrier. She was always sound but got very "one sided" in leads and diagonals. Deb