This foal was born with both legs a little twisted. One is really bad. When he walks, he twists. The vet didnt know if it was his knee or hip. He suggested giving him 30 days and taking another look. I just need some advice about what is going on, and if there is anything I can do to help him. Thanks
I have a friend who has a baby and his leg does the exact same thing except it is on the front leg. The vet said it may or may not straighten out and they would have to wait and see.
He will be a week old tomorrow, born on June 25. His mother is very protective of him, she keeps him up and moving around most of the time. We have them in a pasture by themselves.
Looks like a windswept leg to my inexperienced (breeding-wise) eyes. It could straighten up by itself, or I have heard of splints being used before. I have heard, though, that they can and usually do straighten up when given lots of room to run and play around.
Hi there....
While I have seen many differnt type of foal and legs being "not straight" on my dad breeding farm, I have not seen on elike this. I think the vet is on the right track to give it a little time but 30 days....
How big of an enclosure are they in? Yes I have seen and heard of splinting. I am not sure what they will do for this leg. I wonder what an x-ray might show as far as the bones in this little guy and boy is it a cutie...
Sometimes these things do fix them selves but vetranary assistance is required...
How doe this foal move? What is hi gait like...I know he is a week old but he should be exploring a bit an moving around mommy.
I wonder what my dad might say about that ...I may run it by him if I speak with him today....see if he has ever seen one like that...
The mare is very beautiful as well...
One last question...who was there when the mare foaled??? Anyone....was this foal breech? Just wondering...
Have hope
Half Pass
Thanks for all your advice. They are in a little over a 1 acre pasture. His mom keeps him moving. Today he was limping a little, but he has a little twist to his walk. he runs a little and plays with his mom, she is just protective of him. Trying to get him an appt with the vet at the race track a couple hours away because the 2 vets that we use have never seen any thing like it either. He is steadly gotten a little better, just want to give the little guy a fighting chance to make.
Hey there,
This foal is so cute...I am glad that the vets from the track are going to step in and help. I just tried to call my dad but he was not around. I have not seen a rear leg quite that twisted, but I have seen some interesting looking legs that vets and also some have been left alone and righted all on their own...
From this view you can not even tell.
I wonder if it hurt him or not...you said he walks with a twist and then a limp as well or is the limp something new?
The thing that we do as humans and I would thing horses are similar is develpe a limping patern to compensate..for an injury
The thing with a growing foal is this liming pattern could stick but I think that if the track vet can come up and take a look that would be great....I think they may have some better insight on this thing...
I hope so...keep us informed oka.
So His right rear at the hock twists in towards hi left hock...is that correct? That is the way I thought it looked in one of the other pics....
Half Pass
Thanks everyone for advice and well wishes. We found today that he does have windswept leg. Vet said to keep them in stall for weeks and he should straighten up. I am so excited that he is going to be alright. My prayers were answered.
That's wonderful! I'm so glad everything is well! He's an adorable little foal! I was actually digging around in some old horse magazines today and found an article on it. The article was from 1993. Turns out it's really common!
If it is a true windswept foal - Little to no turn out is best. The soft tissue (tendons and ligaments) need a chance to strengthen to support weight.
A boarders filly was born at our place in March with both back legs windswept. (mare came to our place just prior to foaling) The first month we only turned out while we cleaned the stall (2 times a day). You would never know now the filly had any issues.
Hey there,
Great news...I sure hope the cinfinement will let nature take its course...
I did show my dad the picture and he said that he has seen this many times and it is amazing how nature can fix things without a whole lot of intervention...although that is not the case for everything but can be with some issues..
So please show us how this little one comes along...
he sure is a cutie!
HP
PS..
Something I am a big fan of doing when trying to keep my eyes on a particular isse is to take photos about every week or so. The reason I do this is because sometimes I can not see much difference until I look at the comparisons due to the fact i see my horse almost 7 days a week..
Mine was so bad when he was foaled the vet recommended putting him down......the breeder refused, and rigged up some sort of splint with PVC pipe. He is now 22 and being retired for a bit of arthritis....obviously it worked, so it CAN be done. Good luck!
LOL, guys, I don't think we'll get any response to find out how the colt is doing now. This thread is over 3 years old and the OP hasn't even logged on in over 18 months :wink:.
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