Wonky knees

[Landcruiser]

I have a 3 yr old who I bought last Autumn. I had her vetted - the vet picked up that she had less than perfect foreleg conformation, dishes a bit in trot. Vet advised she would more than likely be fine for my purposes - trec, hacking, fun rides. Maybe some long distance trails when I retire. Also that hooves should be carefully balanced, so as not to exacerbate. Anyway, I bought her, she’s great, won’t be backed until 4 1/2-5 and will be brought on slowly in hand until then. I just wanted to share a couple of photos of her forelegs to see what people think, people’s experiences of this type of sub optimal conformation.
For some reason some of my pics refuse to post the correct way up - apologies for any ensuing gymnastics undertaken in order to view!

 

[Landcruiser]

Another try. Dammit!

 

[Flyermc]

My welsh D did not have the best conformation. He would dish infront and was cow hocked behind. He was always barefoot (way before it became a 'thing') and was never lame. I bought him at 4 years old and we did everything. Long distance fun rides, happy hacking, riding holidays, low level jumping comps, dressage, le track, beach rides, hunting, showing - the list goes on, we'd have a go at most things!

I never did anything 'different' from a management POV and his feet were trimmed by a farrier, who made them look pretty, however as 'barefoot' became more of a thing, we changed to a trimmer who let his hoof flares stay, as i was told that he was growing them for a reason, and that was to support his wonky legs!

i lost him aged 23 to a field accident, his wonky legs didnt cause him any issues.

 

[Landcruiser]

My welsh D did not have the best conformation. He would dish infront and was cow hocked behind. He was always barefoot (way before it became a 'thing') and was never lame. I bought him at 4 years old and we did everything. Long distance fun rides, happy hacking, riding holidays, low level jumping comps, dressage, le track, beach rides, hunting, showing - the list goes on, we'd have a go at most things!

I never did anything 'different' from a management POV and his feet were trimmed by a farrier, who made them look pretty, however as 'barefoot' became more of a thing, we changed to a trimmer who let his hoof flares stay, as i was told that he was growing them for a reason, and that was to support his wonky legs!

i lost him aged 23 to a field accident, his wonky legs didnt cause him any issues.

Thank you for that! That's wjat I need to hear . I was judging a TREC comp at the weekend and found myself looking at front legs and movement. I saw a fair bit of dishing, in horses that I know do Level 2 and 3...so my mind is not exactly at rest, it was always going to be a slight risk - but I'm hopeful that my own awareness, and the fact she'll be barefoot, and not doing anything crazy like eventing or showjumping, will give her a long working life.

 

[TheMule]

I think the best thing you can do to prolong her working life is to get the extra weight off so she's not carrying as much load on slightly compromised limbs and keep her toes shorter- I would probably let her self-trim them to the shape she wants, but give her a better starting point.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Looking up horse conformation and bench knees will probably be helpful for you. From what I can see in your photos, the off fore looks the most affected. I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up with splints on that limb.