Dishing/ Paddling

[ash.leigh]

hi all.
I have recently been looking at a horse who 'dishes/ Paddles'' I would love to hear about your personal experiences and any information you may have.
The horse in regards would only be ridden for fun - no competitions or hard work.
Does paddling cause lameness or any problems?
thanks
Ashleigh

 

[ycbm]

If the foot lands evenly (right to left, it can be flat or heel first front to back) then it's just a cosmetic issue. For a long time, the Iberian horses were bred to do it.

A friend bought one who was the worst disher I've ever seen at five. She took it barefoot at seven and it came straight.

.

 

[Shay]

As long as the foot lands correctly - no. Issues arise if the foot does not land evenly. A good farrier is your freind. And possibly a pair of brushing boots!

 

[be positive]

One of my best competition horses dished, he was very sound through his whole fairly busy life with me, he even did well in the showring as a WH , once he retired from eventing, gaining several championships along the way, he got straighter as he matured, gained confidence and became better schooled and balanced although it never went away completely.

 

[Gloi]

I had one that moved anything but straight. He landed outside of the foot first. He went through shoes like nobody's business wearing them out on one side and needing shoeing so often he had no foot left. Gave up having him shod and booted him. His feet came better but his action never did. Despite that and despite being ridden many, many miles over the years he was never lame except from an occasional kick and stayed sound and ridden until he had an accident in the field at 28, came sound from that but stayed retired until he was PTS at 30 from dental issues.

 

[vmac66]

My mare dishes more so on the right front. She is also very close behind. Hasn't caused her any problems, we do low level dressage and occasional jumping.

 

[paddy555]

my 5 South American horses, of Spanish descent all dished and caused no problems. The current one is now barefoot and dishes quite a lot yet lands absolutely flat (side to side). His feet wear totally evenly. He will never not dish because of his breeding but it doesn't cause a problem and he is 16. The only side effect I have ever had is that sometimes people comment.