Limb malposition in foals: what can be done?

By David Nicholls AWCF CLS

It is a big disappointment when a newborn foal does not meet an owner’s expectations and limb malposition is often a cause for concern. After a foal’s first attempts to stand, hyperextensions or varus/valgus deviations can be noticed and club feet may develop within the first few months of life. In a commercial stud, these problems are usually recognised early and there should be established protocols in place to deal with these issues. However, increasing numbers of foals are being born into a domestic environment, where inexperienced horse owners rely on vets and farriers to guide them through the corrective process.
There are various methods of providing the necessary support or making corrections. However, I have found this process can be simplified and easily managed by applying Dallmer foal shoes. These shoes have been specifically designed by experts and are glued easily onto a foal’s feet, with minimal risks, specialist tools or expensive kits required.
Hyperextension is caused by weakness in the flexor tendons. If left untreated, the hooves may become deformed and develop exaggerated under-slung heels. This, in turn, can become a source of discomfort and complicate the future management of this equine patient, with the risk of compromising future soundness. In my experience, early intervention and application of Dallmer flaccidity shoes makes the general prognosis for this condition outstandingly positive. Once shod, the management of the foal is vital in the recovery phase. Too much or too little exercise can be detrimental to a successful outcome. Small regular amounts of exercise are needed to strengthen and develop the limbs, however, too much exercise can tire the foal and worsen the condition. Insufficient exercise and the recovery will be stalled, making this a balancing act of careful observation and management.
Club feet often occur in rapidly growing foals, and, if left untreated may result in deformation of the distal phalanx, reducing the athletic ability of the equine patient and predisposing them to lameness later in life due to a lack of resolution of this problem. This condition occurs when the long bones in the distal limb grow too fast to allow the soft tissues to develop at the same rate. This disparity causes the muscle controlling the deep digital flexor tendon to become tense. The greater amount of pull on this muscle, the more it contracts. This lifts the weight off the heels leaving them unsupported and off the ground.
There are incidences where one foot may become unloaded for an extended period, ie, due to a foot abscess. Failure to load the affected limb can create a predisposition to club foot syndrome.
The pressure from the distal border of the distal phalanx on the sole makes the sole thin, which can become painful if left unprotected. In severe cases, the equine patient may need surgery to assist recovery.
The Dallmer club foot shoes protect the thin toe area around the sole/hoof wall margin and the extended toe of the shoe creates just sufficient leverage at the toe allowing the heels of the foot to contact the ground.
It may be necessary to leave the heel elevation screwed to the ground surface of the shoe, raising the heels and reducing the tension on the deep digital flexor tendon. This action would be used in combination with medical treatment and box rest until the patient is stable, usually 5 to 7 days. The heel elevation can be unscrewed allowing the toe of the shoe to apply tension on the toe and allowing the heels to contact the ground.
The toed-in and toed-out deviations result in an expedited wear of the feet. These deviations can be treated at a foal age with the Dallmer lateral/medial extension shoes. The extension shoe acts as a base providing support under the limb, allowing the forces to be transmitted centrally through the growth plates and rotate the hoof with each step moving it towards the strived for hoof/limb position and ensure correct formation of the limbs. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required and shoeing will make a positive contribution to recovery.
The Dallmer foal shoe kits, come with everything needed to glue on the shoes, however, I have found it easier in some circumstances to burn out the fibre in the cuffs using a small blow torch, and to rasp the hoof walls to remove the surface layer. I then dry the hoof wall using either a hot air gun or a hair dryer. I do not degrease the hoof walls and I use Vettec Superfast to attach the shoes. This method is particularly helpful when applying heel extension shoes, as it dries within a few minutes, which means the foot is not held off the ground for too long during the setting time.
Some people have aired concerns regarding the cuff style of Dallmer foal shoes by saying that their use restricts the growth of infantile feet. I have not seen any evidence of this and believe that if it has occurred, it may have been caused by leaving the shoes on for an extended period beyond the recommended timescale.
Early intervention by the vet and farrier means that limb malposition can be successfully controlled and treated, avoiding secondary damage and offering the foal the opportunity to achieve its full athletic potential.

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