Hoof Balance / Buckling Knees

S

Sidneigh

New User
Joined
6 November 2017
Messages
9
Visit site
My horses knees have been buckling intermittently for the last few years in walk. We've had all sorts of scans done and there's the odd little thing but in general for a horse of his age nothing major that looks like it should be causing this. He'll be walking along and his knee will almost give way (almost like when someone pushes you in the back of the knee). He's never fallen down and always catches himself again it's just obviously very jarring. The vet came to the conclusion that we need to look at foot balance and we ended up changing him from normal shoes to wide web shoes. Since doing this he now stands much better and his knee no longer buckles. However he's now catching his toes and tripping.

The farrier has suggested perhaps wedging his heels as he thinks this will help him pick up his feet but I'm worried this will start his knee buckling again as it's pushing him forward. Wondered if anyone had any ideas or has had a horse with a similar problem? I just don't know what the best thing is to do with him. He's 19 and I don't want to keep messing around with his feet, I'm worried we're doing him more harm than good 🤦‍♀️

I've also previously had him barefoot but he didn't cope well at all. I spent 2 years with a good barefoot trimmer and he was still landing toe first and pretty much refused to pick up his feet even to pick them out (this was immediately fixed the day after he had shoes back on) so I just don't think that's an option for him.

Any thoughts appreciated! TIA
 
It might be useful to post really good conformation shots from both sides that show not only his feet clearly but his whole posture/musculature. I do know at least of over the knee horses who have postural, especially thoracic sling, issues causing the back of the leg to shorten. The body certainly affects the feet as much as vice versa, and it often shows the evidence of, broadly, what's going on.
 
ester said:
The fact that he didn’t cope at all barefoot and was still toe first would make me think that was indicative of some pathology that just hasn’t been found
Click to expand...
Based on the fact that he was so much better immediately with shoes on in terms of then landing properly in walk - do you think that would suggest anything in particular?
 
Midlifecrisis said:
I may have dreamed it but I think a fairly recent thread mentioned arthritis in coffin joints may cause this phenomenon?
Click to expand...
Interesting.. he was initially very slightly lame back when this all started about 3 years ago in trot on a circle and after all the x-rays he had an MRI which showed 'mild, chronic desmitis of the lateral collateral ligament of the coffin joint' so he has had issues related to that.

He was put on field rest and the report said to 'make sure he is shod with continued attention to foot balance, ensuring that his toes are kept short and his heels are well supported. The use of a well fitted, wide-webbed shoe or bar shoe may help to provide additional support' which is what we've done and he's trotting up sound but tripping in walk 🤔
 
this "tripping/buckling" was how I knew when it was time to increase my PPD horse's prascend. He wasn't tested but this was my sign. Once I did that he stopped tripping. Just a thought.
 
Sidneigh said:
Interesting.. he was initially very slightly lame back when this all started about 3 years ago in trot on a circle and after all the x-rays he had an MRI which showed 'mild, chronic desmitis of the lateral collateral ligament of the coffin joint' so he has had issues related to that.

He was put on field rest and the report said to 'make sure he is shod with continued attention to foot balance, ensuring that his toes are kept short and his heels are well supported. The use of a well fitted, wide-webbed shoe or bar shoe may help to provide additional support' which is what we've done and he's trotting up sound but tripping in walk 🤔
Click to expand...
That what’s causing collateral ligaments .
It’s difficult problem to manage
 
Goldenstar said:
That what’s causing collateral ligaments .
It’s difficult problem to manage
Click to expand...
Do you mean the collateral ligament is causing him to trip or the tripping is causing the issues with the ligament? Have you had any experience in managing it? Looking for any help at all really!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top