How to Trim a Horse With Club Feet

A horse with a club foot favors one or more feet. The affected tendons of this posture-change result in deformity. Young horses with poor diets sometimes have disrupted limb growth, but club foot can occur due to injuries. A club foot might also be attributed to genetic issue, and in these cases a cure might not be possible. Proper diagnosis and action should be taken as soon as club feet become evident.

Things You'll Need

  • Rasp
  • Cutters
  • Horseshoes
  • Horseshoe nails
  • Horseshoe hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Speak with your veterinarian and farrier to assess the overall condition and severity of your horse's club foot. Your vet might take a more dramatic route, and cut the tendons of the horse's affected leg. Correct trimming and shoeing can sometimes heal the animal's club foot.

    • 2

      Leave the toe and heal of your horse's club hoof longer than the unafflicted hooves. Rasp the flare of the toe, and trim the heel to achieve an angle less than 60 degrees. The front two hooves need not look alike, but it is essential to properly trim the deformed hoof. Trim the other hoof somewhat shorter. This forces the horse to use the club hoof, exercising the muscles and tendons that help correct the deformity.

    • 3

      Talk to your vet or farrier about shoeing a club-footed horse. Shoeing can produce positive results with club-footed horses if done correctly. Shoe the club hoof with a leather pad placed between the shoe and hoof. Leave the normal hooves bare, or shoe them without the leather pad.

    • 4

      Observe your horse and its hooves during this process. Inspect the club hoof to determine if it is growing longer both at the toe and heel. Continue this process; remove the leather pad if positive results are noticed.