Home    Calendar of Events    Links & Listings    Success Through Soundness   

Club Foot

Club foot is actually quite similar to laminitis with rotation and so is generally treated similar.  

Club foot is not the same as high/low syndrome.  Technically, it is a hoof axis of 60 degrees or more and affects the front hooves. 

Many cases are the result of foals grazing with one hoof habitually forward and the one back turning "clubby".  Some are born with a deformity to the deep flexor tendon and some develop it.

Classification of the four grades of severity:

• Grade 1: Affected hoof is 3 to 5 degrees greater than ideal. (Common)
• Grade 2: Affected hoof is 5 to 8 degrees greater than ideal. Sole contacts ground. When trimmed to a normal length, the heels may not touch the ground. (Somewhat common)
• Grade 3: Affected hoof is more than 8 degrees greater than ideal. Coronary band protrudes over the dorsal surface of the hoof wall. Tip of coffin bone may appear to be de-mineralized. 
• Grade 4: Affected hoof is 80 degrees or greater. Sole is weight bearing. Coffin bone is extensively de-mineralized and rotated.

This is Iconicus of the 2004 100 Day Stallion Test at Paxton Farm. He jumped into a mirror and sustained a severe injury to his shoulder. After that, his hoof started to become clubby. It is mild. The dish in the dorsal wall (toe) is mild and the heels aren't really that much taller than the normal hoof.