Cobs/heavies not putting weight through fetlock

mavandkaz

mavandkaz

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2007
Messages
862
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
Sorry, didn't know how else to phrase it.
So brought Winston in today and when in his stable he was resting a hind leg. Even when I moved him around he was resting the same one. When picking his feet out, he still wasn't standing on it normally (gave it a good check for stones etc).
Basically he was standing with his foot flat on the floor, but not extending his fetlock down fully. I gave him a lunge and he was moving perfectly normally, completely sound etc.
Popped him back in stable and he was doing it again, and at one point with both hind legs at the same time, but only marginally
I have seen my previous cob do it too, but never the tb, so presume it is something with the heavier breeds.
Anyone know what's going on? Couple of pics to hopefully show what I mean, right hind.
Please ignore the iffy clipping of legs, it's for 'medical' reasons 🙈


Screenshot_20241209-193416~2.png
Screenshot_20241209-193532~2.png
 
Interesting….my mare has been under investigation for a couple of months for hind limb lameness which nerve blocking didn’t help to find. A bone scan showed isotope uptake in hip so she’s in for steroid injection in the hip which hopefully will help. So what I’m saying is it might be a pain in the hip…long winded sorry. Oh my mare is Friesian.
 
Highmileagecob said:
Any chance you can post photos of the soles of his feet?
Click to expand...
Not got any at the moment.
They are a work in progress, with deep central sulcus and no doubt some mild thrush. When I got him he had a full set of shoes, which had obviously been on for a good 2-3 months, if not more. Toes were very long. He's now had two trims and looking much better but will be a while.
 
I have a similar looking clip on Rigs 😆

If you think he has thrush, I say this is a likely cause as standing like that would keep the weight off the heels.

I would treat aggressively as it will be putting strain elsewhere. I like a Cleantrax soak, with the boot, as a starter. Also flossing (as in tooth floss) if the central sulcus is so deep it can't be trimmed to open up somewhat.
 
SEL said:
He's young isn't he? How is the area around the stifle? Quad muscles?
Click to expand...
Yes, he's 4.5. no idea how long he's been backed, or how much he'd done.
He has no fitness and no muscle or top line. Very bum high so taking it slowly. He had 5 stage vetting 9 weeks ago and vet didn't make any comment on his conformation or muscle tone, other then the basics associated with him being a baby. And that he was a good stamp of horse and if the vet had been given him for a days hunting he would be really pleased.
 
As I said, it's interesting as previous cob also did this occasionally, I had her from age 12-16, and never had any issues. She still going strong in her new loan home.
Interestingly she was also barefoot, so maybe that's the common link rather then type.
But then my tb went barefoot for about 18 months and never saw this, and he had typical tb under run heels.

On the plus side, I had been worried he was showing signs of hyper extended fetlocks, as his feather made it look like they were sitting low. (His cob neighbour has been diagnosed with collapsed suspensory apparatus at the age of 8, so now I'm hyper aware). But now it's all chopped off I can see he's fine.
 
Red-1 said:
I have a similar looking clip on Rigs 😆

If you think he has thrush, I say this is a likely cause as standing like that would keep the weight off the heels.

I would treat aggressively as it will be putting strain elsewhere. I like a Cleantrax soak, with the boot, as a starter. Also flossing (as in tooth floss) if the central sulcus is so deep it can't be trimmed to open up somewhat.
Click to expand...
Yep, this is next on my list of things to get on top of. Poor guy, his collection of creams and ointments is growing ever longer. Between the mallenders, mites, mud fever and now thrush, it's amazing he lets me anywhere near his legs.
 
mavandkaz said:
Yes, he's 4.5. no idea how long he's been backed, or how much he'd done.
He has no fitness and no muscle or top line. Very bum high so taking it slowly. He had 5 stage vetting 9 weeks ago and vet didn't make any comment on his conformation or muscle tone, other then the basics associated with him being a baby. And that he was a good stamp of horse and if the vet had been given him for a days hunting he would be really pleased.
Click to expand...
They can get weak in their quads & stand like ballet dancers with growth spurts. If he's gone bum high then that may be the cause.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top