Re: RC: Club Feet

[DESERTRYDR1@aol.com]

I got my mare as a 5 yr old.  Both front feet are a little clubby, the right 
being worse than the left.  Her feet also look like mule feet, and are fairly 
narrow.  She also toes in slightly as a result of the contracted tendons that 
caused the clubby feet in the first place (I think).  Her angles get up to 
about 60 degrees if I'm not careful, I have my farrier keep her at about 
54-56.  He doesn't try to correct her pigeontoes.  She is now 14, and totally 
sound, but there is a little arthritis just starting to show up on 
radiographs.  I have only done LD with her (about 300 miles)  I have her feet 
done every 6-8 weeks, depending on the time of year.  

I think it depends on how the angles are.  It seems like if there is little 
difference between the two feet (my mare) it bothers them less.  A good 
farrier can pare down the angle a little at a time then keep it at a 
reasonable-for-that-horse angle.  You are not going to have two perfectly 
matched feet.  You also have to worry about the horse being crooked, 
developing a big shoulder on one side, etc.  

As far as club footed horses competing, RT Muffin, one of the greatest horses 
in the Northwest region, is clubfooted.  He has career mileage over 9000 
miles.  

Can't say if you ought to take a chance on this particular horse.  Other than 
the club foot how is her conformation, temperament and attitude?  Good luck,  
jeri