Bench knee conformation. Wld remedial treatment help?

Spyda

Spyda

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Does anyone have any advice or previous experience of this problem and how did they treat it?

My 14 month old yearling shows this conformation but I'm getting no where convincing my farrier or vet that there is actually anything wrong with her. "Looks straight to me". Hmmmm, they must be going blind.

Took her to the Futurity yesterday and low and behold, vet picked it up straight away. I am almost thankful to be proved right, and not overly paranoid. She's a cracking little filly and as several people kindly pointed out yesterday, it would be a shame to leave her to get worse if there is anything that can/could be done to help improve the situation. I would not want it to get worse.
 
I'm showing my ignorance here, what's 'bench knee'?. I'd have thought that she's still young enough to have a chance at correcting it dependant on what age the growth plates close.
 
Thanks you learn something new every day. I have seen that before on a couple of other youngsters but didn't know that was what it was called.
 
More commonly called Offset through the knees and tbh, there is little that can be done to help the actual knee, unless you go down the route of screws and wires, though some will say that you can PE knees, I have seen this to be successful. However, this conformation can lead to toeing in (occasionally toeing out, but that is rarer IME) without corrective farriery and possible surgical intervention. If toeing in/out is to be rectified then this has to be done in the first 6 months of life, as 6 months of age is when the growth plates at the bottom of the cannon bone fuse.

Surgical intervention appears to be rare in this country - I've only known 2 that have been PE'd here, but in the US it is done a LOT! I'm talking TB's here btw.
 
<font color="blue">Yes, I was going to ask what PE meant as well.</font>

I was also going to explain the term bench or offset knees. It's where the canon does not run centrally down from the knee, but is offset towards the outside of the knee (in my filly's case). Puts undue pressure on the insides of the canon and hoof and makes the horse prone to splints and fetlock problems. The info I can find on the subject says it's down to 'bad breeding', but both the mare and stallion are very well bred/conformed/competitive specimens and obviously do not have the conformational fault themselves. Can't see how it's down to "bad" breeding , just unlucky genes in my case. Sod's law.

<font color="blue">I was not really hoping to correct the problem visually, rather to limit the damage potential to the inner canon and fetlock joints before she gets too big and starts work. She's been trimmed by my regular farrier every 5 weeks since birth but I am starting to think that something less orthodox may be necessary to aleviate the uneven pressure caused by her conformation. Remedial trimming or shoeing perhaps? Just not sure where to gain the information around here as neither my farrier or equine vet can offer any advice. </font>
 
are you nearby any of the agri' colleges that train farriers? i work with the farriers at myerscough, and im sure the people that teach here, or those at the place nearest to you, could help, either with explanation of if/what could be done, or even do it ! as previously mentioned, it will be down to which growth plates are involved, and when they close. worth a try. if not, pm me. i may be able to find out who is best to ask near you, in a remedial capacity.
 
What about going to one of the bigger equine specialists? Contact the Animal Health Trust maybe?

I'd also try the Worshipful Company of Farriers and get the highest qualified remeidal farrier in your area out to her, where are you as my old farrier was one (only changed as his apprentice qualified and I couldn't afford the huge travel cost for him)
 
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