Horse creating banks to stand on??

Brownmare

Brownmare

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Is there a particular reason a horse would scuff up his bedding so he can stand on a slope with his hind toes pointing down?

The horse in question is barefoot with ongoing improvements / changes to his feet in the year he has been barefoot (although he has only been in work for 9 months of that). There is some slight bullnosing of the hinds but this is much less than it was and the banking has only just started...

I am concentrating on his feet at the moment (thinking bruised heels??) but could it be something higher up?

ETA - photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rtp3uqm1dp6n0l5/2013-08-01%2019.03.26.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4sdkk7mdd21hst/2013-06-18%2020.45.14.jpg
 
Last edited:
When my horse had slight bullnosing in his hind feet it was because he was in negative palmer angle rotation. He could be building the banks to raise his heels to relieve the pressure he will feel up his entire leg, stifle, quarters and loins. Clever boy if he is! A classic sign is standing with the hind legs under the body. Google 'negative palmer angle' for lots of info.
 
Agree with the above, tends to be a sign of negative pedal bone rotation, speak to your vet about ome foot x-rays to enable your farriery to carry out remedial work not sure if this can be done bare foot in my experience shoes with a wedge may be needed.
 
Yes I would agree with the negative palmar angle theory - but the bullnosing is growing down the hoof wall steadily and should be gone in 3 months or so. Therefore I doubt that is the cause of the new stable habit which is a recent development.

Also, his normal standing posture is with hind cannons either vertical of slightly out behind.
 
Soulful - I'm really sorry to hear you lost your horse. Are there any treatment options for psd? Fingers crossed it's not that but I will be getting the vet if it continues and I like to know the options out there!
 
I have heard that horses with sore tendons do this. Have you checked the legs for heat/pain?

A bit of cold hosing wouldn't do any harm as a precaution - 10 mins 2 or 3 times a day - and reduce the workload by half for a while.

That may sound a bit OTT but as someone who has spent all year dealing with a tendon injury - believe me, it's well worth bearing in mind and treating accordingly.
 
There was a thread recently that linked to an article about DSLD and IIRC, digging in the field or bedding so that he/she could stand on the dug area was one of the symptoms.
 
Brownmare said:
Is there a particular reason a horse would scuff up his bedding so he can stand on a slope with his hind toes pointing down?

The horse in question is barefoot with ongoing improvements / changes to his feet in the year he has been barefoot (although he has only been in work for 9 months of that). There is some slight bullnosing of the hinds but this is much less than it was and the banking has only just started...

I am concentrating on his feet at the moment (thinking bruised heels??) but could it be something higher up?

ETA - photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rtp3uqm1dp6n0l5/2013-08-01%2019.03.26.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4sdkk7mdd21hst/2013-06-18%2020.45.14.jpg
Click to expand...

Definateley to relieve discomfort in his back or legs I would say
 
My horse has stood on his bankings for years, always chooses to do it. He does have arthrotis in his hinds and hes done it shod and barefoot. He also stands nowadays with the hindlegs under him slightly but when hes moving he is sound and fine.
 
Brownmare said:
Soulful - I'm really sorry to hear you lost your horse. Are there any treatment options for psd? Fingers crossed it's not that but I will be getting the vet if it continues and I like to know the options out there!
Click to expand...
It really depends on whether it is just in the hinds. Ie injury and not disease. Mine was in 3 out of 4 and although he had surgery on one hind that didn't work either. Then it was found in other legs
 
Brownmare said:
Is there a particular reason a horse would scuff up his bedding so he can stand on a slope with his hind toes pointing down?

The horse in question is barefoot with ongoing improvements / changes to his feet in the year he has been barefoot (although he has only been in work for 9 months of that). There is some slight bullnosing of the hinds but this is much less than it was and the banking has only just started...

I am concentrating on his feet at the moment (thinking bruised heels??) but could it be something higher up?

ETA - photos:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rtp3uqm1dp6n0l5/2013-08-01 19.03.26.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4sdkk7mdd21hst/2013-06-18 20.45.14.jpg
Click to expand...
Hello! I appreciate this post is over 10 years old now but I was wondering if you ever got to the bottom of this? Many Thanks
 
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