Anyone have or know of a horse with Windswept hind legs?

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welshcobmad

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Hi,

Just looking for some more info really! I have a horse on trial at the moment he is shod only infront so had the farrier up to re-shoe him yesterday. Hes now said he also needs shoeing behind as he's windswept so needs special shoes with pads that will help straighten him up & hopefully eventually he can go back on to normal shoes then. Only down side apart from the obvious that its expensive, is he said he'll be more prone to arthritis in later life (how soon in later life I dont know).

Its not glaringly obvious & only subtle from what I can see, but obviously everythings slightly out, he rides fine & will still be able to do everything I want. He's a rescue & only 6 years old & only broken last year so hoping if I start sorting it now it will make a difference.

I'd never heard of this condition before & doesnt seem to be much on the net about it apart from it being seen in foals & corrected when they're very young.

Does anyone know anymore on this or have any experience with it?

Thankyou!!!
 
Well the first thing to do is obviously get a really thorough vetting done - and explain to the vet your concerns about the legs. The farrier won't be able to 'straighten' them (assuming this is an adult horse).

However, number 1 rule for me is - if the legs aren't straight it doesn't get bought. It's as simple as that really.
 
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A friend had a foal born like this, she had corrective work done all through her formative years, although she was straight by the time she started work she developed arthritis very young and is only used for hacking now. I would be cautious and get a vets opinion as it will be a problem regarding insurance, the hind legs could be fully excluded.
 
My concern would be that trying to straighten them would possibly cause more problems than it would solve, the horses joints/tendons/ligaments will all be affected.
 
I'd never heard of this condition before & doesnt seem to be much on the net about it apart from it being seen in foals & corrected when they're very young.
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This is correct. To try and correct anything now (after the growth plates have fused) on an adult horse will only strain the horse's joints. I am horrified and can only guess that the Farrier can see all the money he will get from making the horse lame and then the further money for more corrective shoes to 'fix' the lameness.

What did the Vet say when you had the horse vetted? If he wasn't vetted, then I strongly suggest that you get him Vetted now.
 
I have a horse with windswept front legs. Farrier thinks its better to keep her unshod so she wears her feet the way she needs to, rather than trying to impose a manmade balance for shoes.
 
horserider said:
I have a horse with windswept front legs. Farrier thinks its better to keep her unshod so she wears her feet the way she needs to, rather than trying to impose a manmade balance for shoes.
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I agree with this.

The fact that the farrier has basically said that his shoeing will give the horse arthritis suggests that he knows it's not the best thing for the horse, which is concerning. Personally I'd look for another farrier.
 
My new forest walks like this and he is currently barefoot behind. I was thinking of having pads and shoes on as he almost looks concussed when he walks but having read this I am quickly changing my ideas. I think physio is more important to help guide the muscles to work in the correct way. Physio has given me a big elastic band that goes from one side of the girth around to the other side of the girth and this makes him walk straight therefore building the muscles up correctly. He has no muscle where his stifle is due to this but wearing a band has increased his muscles.
 
touchstone said:
My concern would be that trying to straighten them would possibly cause more problems than it would solve, the horses joints/tendons/ligaments will all be affected.
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+1

I'd ask a vets advice, not a farrier on how it would affect performance. If it's a happy hacker and it's never caused an issue I'd be inclined not to worry. I'd get full vet history if possible though.

If the farrier was simply shoeing to the horse to make it comfortable with the currently condition, fine. But trying to correct the issue in an older horse, I'd be ditching the farrier I'm afraid.

Pan
 
Thank you for all your responses its really helpful :)

I havent had him vetted yet as he's only with me on trial for a few weeks at the moment, I just went to have his front shoes replaced & backs trimmed yesterday as you do & then my farrier brought this issue up - the owner was totally unaware of it.

I didnt ask for my farriers opinion as the problem is quite subtle I hadnt really noticed it at all, its more his hooves than his legs & he moves straight & jumps fine etc, he just brought it up as an observation whilst shoeing. He didnt say the shoes on the back would give him arthritis just overall as a result of the condition he'd probably more prone to it in older age, the shoes may help him out balance wise though. I totally trust my farriers opinion & I know he most definately isnt out to make a quick buck & probably just thinking of the horses comfort.

If I was to decide to keep him he'd be on loan for a good few month initially anyway but even before that I'll get a vet out to give their opinion & also a physio - they maybe able to shed more light on any long term issues. I dont want a happy hacker but not a world beater either, want to do riding club events, xc training & fun rides etc. So will have to make sure he's comfortable.

The current owner has only had him a year & being a rescue all previous history is unknown. Hes only 6 now & was broken last year at 5 although hasnt done much.

Rachaelstar - thats very interesting thank you :) Will definately get a physios opinion on it & see what they say & see if something like that would help.

Absolutely gutted about all of this, he's perfect in every other way & I love him to bits. After months of searching & going through hell after being misold another horse earlier on in the year I thought I'd eventually got the right one :(
 
If he's sound and he's moving straight then he's already comfortable, and he doesn't need your farrier's 'help' ;). Meddling around with it now imo is asking for trouble.
 
TwoStroke said:
If he's sound and he's moving straight then he's already comfortable, and he doesn't need your farrier's 'help' ;). Meddling around with it now imo is asking for trouble.
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He doesnt move funny & in no pain he just wears his hooves a bit more on one side of each foot than the other & only very slightly. I'm thinking along the same lines as you, more inclined to leave him barefoot behind & seek advice from vet & physio. I can only tell when he's stood still & in a certain way what the farrier means, so I can see its there but by no means is it extreme or causing him hassle.
 
Please do not try & correct him, his joints are formed now so it is too late & would only cause dsicomfort (at best) & lasting damage to other joints &, tendons etc. at worse. If the Vet gives an ok just hack as he is but be aware that his useful life maybe a lot shorter because of this. Personally I would not buy as there are plenty of well made, sound horses out there.:)
 
Please be careful many horse slightly wear the hind feet unevenly seek advice from the vet quickly , and whatever you do change nothing till you own him if it lames him it will awful to sort out.
 
My only experience has been with foals, my rule was if it corrects itself by 9 months, don't worry; if still obvious at that stage, put down.
 
If its any help, my mare is a BSJA horse with a very respectable record. She's 14 now and has had to slow down a bit but she still outshines her stable mates.

I suppose it depends on how pronounced the condition is.
 
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