Pigeon toed?

N

Nikki1204

Member
Joined
22 August 2012
Messages
29
Visit site
I've been to see a new horse to buy today. Absolutely love the pony apart from a conformation fault - pony is just aged 3 and seems to be pigeon toed on its right fore leg. When you read about it causing ringbone etc it's a worry - what do people think? Have you any experience with pigeon toed horses and advise?
Thanks ( I'll try post a photo)
 
You can upload a photo from your computer into an album on your forum profile, or upload to photobucket (or similar) and then post the IMG code in the forum reply box. :)
 
Its a difficult one. My youngster is very turned in on his left fore. Onlyjust been back but xrays have shown significant wear and tear to that fetlock, likely as a result if the faiult. On the other hand my best friends mare is very pidgeon toed on both fronts 13yrs old never had a day lame in front and does everything so you just dont know!
 
Normally it would not bother me so much, but the photo seems to show some changes in the pastern area/above the hoof already. I would suspect it would be sidebone, I have known this in a youngster before, a huge one in a 4 year old. Having said that the horse in question was sound until it was 12, in hard work, and in light work until it was 16.

Photos are not everything though, and if you really like the pony maybe have a vets opinion before deciding. You can get this cheaper than a full vetting, with the owner's permission.
 
The problem is that as the youngster grows and the chest expands, which in effect pushes the elbows out, it will become more pigeon toed. My grey was very toe out as a youngster, but by the time she was five (she expanded a lot widthwise from 4 - 5) she was straight.

Is the deviation at the knee, it's hard to tell from a single photo?
 
Thank you everyone for your opinions. I think I will get a vets opinion because rightly said each horse is different and it effects them all in different ways.... I'm wanting a horse for life so want something right....
 
A little wouldn't bother me though it will probably give you problems with uneven hoof/shoe wear if nothing else. However looking at that photo I wouldn't touch that horse, though if you really like it then get the vet's opinion.
 
No point in buying something so young and with such an obvious fault in one leg.. I would not even bother discussing it with vet, it is almost certain to be spun as not suitable for very much. Many faults can be sorted with a very young animal but either this has been neglected or they have tried and it has not worked, either way, just avoid.
It offends my eye and I could not look at this every day.
Even with a good 3 year old, it is two years before you have a decent type and a lot of bills to pay and work to put in.
Don't go to see horses unless you are willing to just say no on the day.
 
Last edited:
My horse is pigeon toed, thanks to a hugely wide chest and a farrier who was supposed to be doing remedial trims but wasn't. He is home bred so I didn't have a choice, but I have learned a lot, such as trimming can only really affect within the first 3 months so if seller tells you it can be remedied, ask them how come they didn't :) My horse doesn't do roadwork, the concussion on those joints made him bilaterally lame when he was first broken and being ridden on, he now is only really comfortable on a surface, even in a field he loses impulsion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top