Inside the Club Foot

A large majority of horses, regardless of breed, have a high-low foot syndrome where one front foot has a higher angle and different shape than the other. A close look at the characteristics of the high foot qualifies it as a club foot.
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Most horses have mismatched feet–is yours one of them?

A large majority of horses, regardless of breed, have a high-low foot syndrome where one front foot has a higher angle and different shape than the other. A close look at the characteristics of the high foot qualifies it as a club foot.

Club feet are not all born equal. Most are mild grades and go unnoticed by the majority of horse owners or are simply written off as typical high-low syndrome. Regardless of what they’re called, to successfully manage the various grades of club feet, we must first recognize the early changes in the hoof capsule, understand the forces at play, have a working knowledge of treatment options, and strive to maintain a healthy, functional foot.

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Ric Redden, DVM, is known throughout the horse world as a veteriarian, farrier and educator. He owns and manages the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky, the first exclusively podiatry practice in the horse world. Dr. Redden is one of the world’s foremost experts on laminitis and other hoof problems and travels internationally, teaching others his ground-breaking techniques and concepts.

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