The Equine Club Foot

This condition is very near and dear to my heart, as it is part of the reason I am a chiropractor today.

The equine club foot is a tricky issue.

To begin, there are several different definitions. Just for fun, I've organized some of them from my most favorite to least favorite:

--Radiograph showing a flexion contracture of the coffin joint with increased hoof angle, often associated with dishing of the dorsal hoof wall

--Inequality in the angles of a pair of hooves (usually front), ie one hoof grows steeper than the other 

--Any hoof over 60 over 65 degrees in angle (not generally considered accurate definition, but it is out there)

There is a pretty good definition here: 

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10589/the-club-foot

And another with more detailed discussion about possible causes: 

http://www.hoofrehab.com/ClubFoot.htm

So what does this mean practically?

Well, depending on the severity, it typically results in:

Increased dorsal hoof angle (obviously)

Contracted heels 

Chronic thrush and frog atrophy (shrinking)

Seedy toe/white line at the toe

Thin sole at the toe 

Dished hoof wall

Dishing or deterioration of the tip of the coffin bone via radiograph

Difficulty picking up leads or performing certain activities

There are 4 grades of club feet, just to help classify the severity.

This, unfortunately, is very common--at least grades 1 and 2 are quite common. Thankfully grades 3 and 4 are less common!

Treatment typically consists of specialized trimming and shoeing with possible referral for surgery in severe cases. Generally the earlier in life this condition is diagnosed and treated the better the prognosis.

So...

What does this have to do with chiropractic?

I'm so glad you asked. 

Story time! 

My old show mare had always and forever had hoof angles of 63-65 on the right front and 55-58 on the left front. No matter how I trimmed, how often I trimmed, or any myriad of shoeing techniques I used. One day, very shortly after she was adjusted for the first time, I noticed her hoof angles were suddenly matched. I hadn't changed anything in my trimming, riding, saddle, management, etc. So how did that happen??

Studies have shown that horses with club feet do NOT exhibit any anatomical differences in bone, ligament, or tendon from one leg to another. What does that mean? Well we know that one leg isn't longer than the other, one tendon isn't shorter or malformed compared to the other, and we know that it isn't caused by anything inside the foot (if you trim the hoof aggressively it will grow back rapidly). So why does this happen? Many professionals now point to tendon contracture. Specifically, the deep digital flexor tendon. Well now, how does a tendon contract? 

They don't, really. The muscle that the tendon originates on contracts. In this case, the deep digital flexor muscle that is attached to the humerus, radius, and ulna. So what would cause that muscle to contract, thus shortening the tendon?

Lots of things.... But I digress. 

Chiropractic treats subluxation complexes that are CHARCTERIZED by muscle spasm (among other things). 

Now does it begin to make sense that chiropractic can treat club feet? Massage therapy may also help, but it won't treat the root cause of the issue.

My mare continued to have level, balanced hooves for about one year. At that point, I decided that I would get her adjusted again to see what would happen. Her hoof angles balanced out. For the next few years, whenever I noticed her right hoof angle creeping up I would have the chiropractor out. And it resolved every time. I have since recommended this to multiple farrier clients, and it helps or fixes the club foot 75-85% of the time (rough estimate).

READ:

Does chiropractic guarantee to fix every club foot, every time? NO. 

Listen now: did Dr Julie say it fixes every club foot? No.

But very often, it helps. And this is why it is imperative to have good veterinary care in conjunction with chiropractic. Because if chiopractic does not help a young foal with a club foot, it MUST be further investigated and treated appropriately.