Definition:
An aquired steepness of the toe in the horny box with a dorsal wall angle of over 60° and flexion in the coffin joint.
Course:
This malformation usually develops between the third and the sixth month in the foal’s first year of
its life. A club foot can occur with a sudden outbreak within 48 hours or develop gradually over a
period of weeks or months.
Cause:
Overfeeding, genetically strong growth or lack of exercise with deep-litter husbandry.
Symptoms:
An abnormally steep phalanx in one or both front hooves, with a break in the lateral digit axis in both coffin joint and pastern joint.
Treatment:
The DALLMER Clubfoot Shoe BK extends the coffin joint as the shoe’s toe extension prolongs the toe
by about 1 cm. For severe cases, the Type B with parallel sole is used, under which a wedge to raise
the heels gets screwed on. Contrary to regular horseshoes, DALLMER Hoofshoes are easy on the thin
and weak foal hooves. If a foal shows no distinct signs of improvement after 2 periods with adhesive
hoofshoes, or if a rotation of the distal phalanx is diagnosed, surgical treatment is necessary.
For foals with a club foot, the glueing method is advisable as the hoof is not being damaged. The DALLMER Clubfoot Shoe protects the worn down toe area and extends the hoof in the front so that the foal has to tread through.
