square hoofs??

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foxtrot

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we went to view a horse on sat and upon inspection both his back hooves at the toe point were worn into a square shape ( flat not rounded). Im not really sure what this would indicate? He rested both back legs when we were there and this is obviously the' shape' they are now in. We both rode him and i didnt sense any sign of lameness. Do you think this ' shape' has cine from him resting and lack of attention to his feet or possibly something more sinister?
 
foxtrot said:
Shod on front, barefoot on back. Is it a bad sign he drags his feet or could it be laziness?
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Can be a bad sign can mean very little ,if you really like the horse I would make sure to mentain it to the vet doing the vetting and then cross your fingers.
One of ours does this it appears to be laziness I have had him three years and have always wondered if it would develop into something nasty it has not yet.
 
If he is squaring his bare hooves it can be

1) A back/hind end weakness meaning he is basically shuffling a bit.
2) Hooves are too long.
3) He has a touch of thrush at the back of his hoof and is landing on his toes because of it.

Or a mixture of all of the above......

I would be looking at number 1) as this is the most serious.

Saddle fit? Muscle tightness?

Or the worst - a SI issue.....

However my old lad has done this on occasion and whatever caused it went away by itself.
 
My mare drags her back feet and squares them off (she is barefoot) and with her it is just pure laziness on her part :) I haven't ever worried about it as she picks them up when ridden!
 
If my friend decideds he is the one he will for sure be vetted. I think she was going for a stage 2 vetting and ask the vet to do a flexion test also...would this pick up if it is a major health problem?
 
My youngster used to square off her toes and my trimmer said it was because she was unbalanced and toe first landing. As her fitness and schooling have improved she no longer squares off. As previously said, I would mention your concern if you had the horse vetted.
 
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