twisting foor or wringing the hock, advice please!!

[ruthlm]

Hi, I am hoping to get some advice regarding my horse. I have had im for about 2 months, he twists on his left hind hoof, and apparently has for a while, while it looks a bit odd, it hasn't affected him.

I had the farrier out to him to do his shoes, and on the leg on question he said he had given him a lateral extension, as the hoof was worn considerably more due to his twisting.

He has been very odd on the leg since, twisting even more and stiff,I felt it when I rode him, and now am not riding for fear of him hurting himself.

It's worse on hard ground, not hot or swollen, the farrier came back out a few days later and did a hoof check, and confirmed he's not lame, he mentioned maybe a larger extension next time.

I have read through the other threads covering this area, and a lot of the terms and anatomical terms used left me lost.

I would love if it can be explained to me why this can happen, and views on the shoe situation, general advice really.

Thanks in advance

 

[Smurf's Gran]

Lateral extensions are a form of remedial shoeing - the aim is to redistribute the weight on the hind foot to make them more comfortable. They are usually used for bone spavin as horses with this tend to twist their foot as a way of alleviating the pain in the hock joint.

If the reason he twists his foot is due to bone spavin it might be a good idea to involve the vet, as there may be things the vet can do re the discomfort and also advise the farrier.

Or another suggestion would be to take his back shoes off and let him develop the right type of foot that he needs.

(if it is bone spavin...don't worry..loads of horses have it and are happily working etc)