Bog spavin and varus deviated (bowed in) hind limbs
5 yr Gypsy Vanner has a varus deflection (to the outside) of the left forelimb.
5 yr Gypsy Vanner has a varus deflection (to the outside) of the left forelimb.
Valgus (limbs deviate inwards) and toe out deviation of the front limbs with severe club feet in a dwarf mini horse.
Valgus (limbs deviate inwards) and toe out deviation of the front limbs with severe club feet in a dwarf mini horse.
Valgus deviation (limbs deviate inwards) in the hind limbs in a dwarf mini horse.
This dwarf mini horse laying comfortably in the grass near the barn to rest the legs.
6 yr old Hanovarian that received staple surgery as a foal to correct a varus limb deformity in the left front limb. Also, this LF limb has a “bench knee” where the cannon bone is offset relative to the radius (upper forelimb). This places increased weight on the medial aspect of the cannon bone and medial splint and is the leading cause of medial “splints” in horses. Also note the splaying out of the lateral wall of the hoof as it is less vertical than the medial wall. This indicated that the weight is being carried by the medial side of the hoof which can lead to hoof capsule deformity as well as future lameness. It is important that the hooves be trimmed so that the horse lands as equally as possible to prevent splints and future lameness.
6 yr old Hanovarian that received staple surgery as a foal to correct a valgus deformity in the RF and a varus deformity in the LF. This is known as a "wind swept" foal because the limbs curved at the knee as if a strong wind had blown from the left in this picture to the right. Note that they are both still slightly angular as the surgery did not completely correct the angular limb deformity of the RF and overcorrected the deformity in the LF (leading to "Knock knees").
6 yr old Hanovarian that received staple surgery as a foal to correct a valgus deformity in the right fore limb. This RF limb also has a “bench knee” but the hoof capsule is not as deformed as the LF.
The LF hoof of the bench knee and overcorrected varus deformity shows splaying of the hoof wall along with hoof wall damage on the lateral side. The medial hoof wall is more vertical as it carries the weight of the horse.
The RF hoof of the horse with the under-corrected valgus deformity and bench knee shows almost symmetrical hoof walls - a testament to the farrier trimming this hoof correctly.
