You made a good observations about the clubfooted horse putting strain
on the foot while eating, etc by placing that foot rearward. If you
watch clubfooted horses, that is almost a universal trait.
I'm glad your idea of feeding hay from a net and catching droppings on a
table worked for you. It sounds like it may relief some of the strain
on the foot, but it becomes impractical when the horse is out on
pasture, grazing. Club feet can be hereditary, can be from foal
positioning in utero, or it can be from a severe injury, among many
reasons. Surgery can be useful in young foals, but not too useful in
older horses.
Clubbed feet come with a host of potential problems if the horse lacks
good foot care from a farrier or simple bad luck to have a severe club.
These can include toe cracks, P3 rotation, P3 bone chipping, contracted
heels, ringbone/arthritis in the affected limb, compensatory arthritis
in other limbs, and chronic lameness related to the above.
I can assure you that a clubfooted horse CAN compete in endurance, but
he wouldn't be the ideal mount for the long haul. Those that do compete
successfully are blessed by conscientious riders and good farriers! My
horse Rocket is doing well on 50's as long as I am careful when I ride
(keep excess stress off of that foot) and as long as I keep the foot
trimmed and shod every 4-5 weeks. I don't think that the foot would
hold up to a 100, though.
Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Chesapeake, VA