Bench Knees - anyone with horses with this?

[Spyda]

Is there anyone on here that has or knows someone with a horse with bench knee conformation. Offset knees?

How old is the horse and what level of work are they able to do with it?

My filly has quite pronounced bench knees. She's been having remedial farriery since a yearling and both the vet and remedial farrier think she'll make a fine riding horse - although presumably not up to fierce competition work. A bummer as she was expressly bred to event.

Selections of photos from birth:

4 hours old.

3 moths old.

6 months old.

14 months old.

21 months old (ignore swelling!).

I bred her and she will be with me for life - but just wondered what level of work we are going to be limited to.

Experiences please!

 

[Cliqmo]

Hi there, gorgeous foal- what a shame about her confirmation! I don't know anything about it but just found this document....

http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/anatomy/anatomy3.pdf

with this write up- which seems quite positive...

[ QUOTE ]
Bench knee—In these horses, the forearm enters the knee on the medial side and the cannon bone exits the knee on the lateral side, so they don’t line up. They are believed
to be prone to knee injuries or problems, especially if exposed
to stressful competition. However, some studies have found that mildly affected racing Thoroughbreds can do quite well, depending on what other conformational problems are present.[ QUOTE ]

 

[scotsmare]

Gosh that's a shame - she's a lovely filly. Not sure about level of work but presumably jumping would be an issue due to concussion issues?

 

[Spyda]

She's going to be prone to splints for sure. But once the inevitable splints have formed, hopefully they'll inadvertently strengthen that area. Sure is a shame, as she really is a beautiful filly. That's the gamble of breeding your own. Mare and sire both excellent with much quality stock on the ground.

I'm happy not to event her, which is just as well; but would really like to be able to attend a few local shows each year, a bit of clear round jumping for the kids and the odd pleasure ride. Guess hunting's out of the question, but I can live with that.

Would really like to hear from anyone with older horses with this condition. There must be lots out there, it is not that an uncommon conformational fault, and not all can be PTS or just companions. My remedial farrier, who only shoes young TB racehorses with limb problems, says he's known a few. One is a broodmare

. He tells me she's bred 7 foals and only one has inherited the problem. Crazy, eh? Fine for the 6 foals born okay, but doubt the colt with the 'legs' will fair so well

 

[vhf]

To make you feel a bit better - know one with 1 bench knee a LOT worse than that that was hunting well last I heard, and a pony who it never made any impact on - again, only 1 leg.