Understanding club foot

Abnormally upright conformation of a single foot is rarely just a “hoof problem.” The imbalance can affect a horse’s whole body. But most cases can be treated or managed readily.

Abnormally upright conformation of a single foot is rarely just a “hoof problem.” The imbalance can affect a horse’s whole body. But most cases can be treated or managed readily.

You are always up for new challenges, so when your friends decide to take dressage lessons, you sign up, too. But after watching you ride, the instructor pulls you aside and says, “Just so you know, you’re only going to be able to go so far with this horse in dressage. He has a club foot, and his strides will never be even.”

You stare at your horse’s front feet, but the differences are tough to spot. Sure, one hoof is slightly narrower and steeper than the other, but no horses’ hooves are ever perfectly symmetrical. And your horse has never taken a lame step in his life. Is this really a problem?

Probably not. At least not for your horse, your farrier assures you later. Attentive trimming is keeping him sound, his gaits are comfortable to ride, he carries you happily over the trails, and he has always been able to do whatever you have asked of him. In fact, he may even be able to do more. Horses with mildly clubbed feet have competed and won at the highest levels of many athletic endeavors, from endurance and jumping to barrel racing and cutting. Assault, the “Club-Footed Comet,” won 18 races including the 1946 Triple Crown despite having a club foot on the right fore.

Still it’s a good idea to keep tabs on the condition of the upright foot as well as how your horse moves overall to catch any developing problems early. Here’s what you need to know.