Club feet might be one of the most common growth problems in young horses. Affecting youngsters primarily between birth and 6 months of age, the club foot actually is a flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (coffin joint) caused by a shortening of the musculotendinous unit of the deep digital flexor tendon. As a result, the hoof capsule becomes distorted, the hoof angle approaches 60° or greater, and the horse begins walking on its toe. It is most commonly presented in the front legs, usually affecting one limb but occasionally occurring in both. It usually is an acquired condition, but can be congenital (present at birth).

In congenital forms of club feet, the newborn is unable to extend the joint of the distal limb, is unable to place its heel on the ground, and thus walks on its toe. Usually both forelimbs are affected. Stephen O’Grady, DVM, MRCVS, of Northern Virginia Equine, says, “This could be due to uterine malpositioning of the fetus, nutritional management of the mare during gestation, exposure to influenza virus, or possibly a genetic link.”

With acquired forms, O’Grady says, initial clinical signs might be subtle — abnormal hoof wear at the toe, a normal or slightly increased hoof angle, and possibly a prominent coronary band. Heels might not contact the ground after trimming.

“As the condition progresses, severe changes will occur,” reports O’Grady. “You get a prominent bulge around the coronary band, a higher heel, a broken-forward pastern angle, and a boxy, tubular-shaped foot that’s dished out along the dorsal surface of the hoof wall