Podiatry for flexural deformity in foals and youngstock

Introduction

Two common types of flexural deformity (FD) affecting the leg of the Thoroughbred (TB) foal are hypoflexion tendons and acquired flexor deformity (AFD) of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). Both can occur at or before the foal reaches 100 days old. The causes, especially of AFD affecting the DIPJ, are still disputed. This paper describes treatments for both these types of FD.

Hypoflexion tendons

Foals are frequently born with a toe-up conformation, especially in the hind feet. The inverted cone shape of a neonate [1] does not lend itself to caudal support. Weight is therefore borne in the palmar third of the foot, crushing heels so that they under-run forward, often causing lesions to the heel bulbs. Mild cases mostly improve with exercise, but where this condition is intractable it should be treated. In mild but persistent cases trimming the heels back reduces the anterior fulcrum effect. Where this does not produce immediate improvement applying caudal extensions is effective [2].

Treatment with aluminium caudal extension shoes

Aluminium plate of 6 mm thickness is cut to a triangle approximately 150 x 150 x 75 mm and a toe-clip of 15 mm height turned at the apex. The hooves are trimmed to normal proportions, all hoof wall, sole and frog cleaned by trimming and the shoe attached using methylmethacrylate (acrylic) glue (Jameg glue)a reinforced by 3 bands of glue-impregnated fibreglass cloth cut 20 x 100 mm. The foal must be exercised and the extensions removed between 2 and 3 weeks [3]. Where improvement is not satisfactory, the treatment should be repeated. […]