The aetiology and management of a club foot in the horse: An overview

Summary A club foot is a distortion of the equine hoof capsule characterised by an upright toe and heel angle and a flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint being in a persistent state of hyperflexion. This hyperflexion of the distal interphalangeal joint is a result of a shortening of the deep digital flexor musculotendinous unit and results in a hoof confirmation characterised by a hoof wall steeper than the angle of the pastern and excessive heel height. Appropriate farriery principles to manage this condition should include trimming of the heels to increase load in the palmar hoof and reduce load in the toe region. If surgical intervention is indicated (desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the DDFT), it should be performed in conjunction with appropriate farriery principles of lowering the heels to the level of the frog to load the palmar hoof with or without the application of shoes.