Contracted heels

joustinggirl · 05-26-2008, 05:17 PM

So, is contracted heels an environmental problem or a hereditary problem?

ruffian · 05-26-2008, 05:21 PM

A bit of both I think
The conformation of some horses feet leads to it, best if they can go barefoot and be trimmed so that the frog is making contract with the ground
I have found that very dry conditions can contribute to it and make it worse.

readytogo · 05-26-2008, 08:46 PM

I think it is from heels being too high, frog not being healthy, and a really dry foot.
I have a halter bred horse, who was contracted. He is now barefoot and his frogs are beginning to get healthier, thus pushing out the heels. He still has small feet - and always will, but they are healthy and functional.
http://www.hoofrehab.com/hoof%20arti...te%20Ramey.htm
Here is some good info on feet!

HorseDork · 05-26-2008, 09:55 PM

i think it is a result of environment and bad trimming/shoeing. it is easily reversed by simply soaking the foot in water. horses in wet climates kept outdoors, with a well trimmed barefoot hoof should never run into that problem, but here it is very dry, so water and effol (a hoof moisture product) are necessary to keep the whole foot from becoming contracted. i also think stall kept horses are more prone to it.

leadmare · 05-26-2008, 10:15 PM

Can be caused by-

Long foot and lack of frog pressure
Lack of moisture
Reduction of foot circulation
Injury or disease which removes/limits weight-bearing from heels, such as Navicular
Sometimes congenital.

In your horse, I'd say lack of proper foot care prior to you getting her

joustinggirl · 05-27-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadmare

Can be caused by-

Long foot and lack of frog pressure
Lack of moisture
Reduction of foot circulation
Injury or disease which removes/limits weight-bearing from heels, such as Navicular
Sometimes congenital.

In your horse, I'd say lack of proper foot care prior to you getting her

Thanks V, but spotted girls heels are good. Its my Dixie girl. Its been 9 months since I rode her and my great niece wants to show her walk, jog in a 4H show next weekend. I pulled her out of the field and lunged her for 5 minutes, put the 10 year old girl on her and off they went. Beautiful jog. She is sound, but boy, I would love to breed her. I won't of course if this is a problem that will be passed to any foal. But any horse that I can pull out of the field after almost a year and take to a show, I'll buy 10.

leadmare · 05-27-2008, 07:05 AM

I see, said the blind woman

Has this been a long standing issue with Dixie? One foot or two? Has she worn shoes a lot? Been barefoot? Any sickness, thrush issues or lameness for an extended period? Abcess ever?

And as usual, Got pics?

**Range** · 05-27-2008, 07:27 AM

Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!

joustinggirl · 05-27-2008, 11:55 AM

I took pictures about 2 years ago. I will post them and then I will post new ones. I think they are worse. She has always been barefoot, its both heels, has never had a injury. Has very small feet in general. She had one small abscess last year that came and gone in a week. Her frogs seem very small to me.

CatsTack · 05-31-2008, 12:11 PM

2nd the pictures

I believe it's both, too; genes and bad trimming. Good trimming will help to open the foot up some, but if that's the foot the horsey has not much can be done.

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05-26-2008, 05:17 PM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,326	Contracted heels So, is contracted heels an environmental problem or a hereditary problem? __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

05-26-2008, 05:21 PM
ruffian Yearling Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 973	A bit of both I think The conformation of some horses feet leads to it, best if they can go barefoot and be trimmed so that the frog is making contract with the ground I have found that very dry conditions can contribute to it and make it worse. __________________ There is something about the outside of a Horse that\'s good for the inside of a man (Will Rogers)

05-26-2008, 08:46 PM
readytogo Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pa. Posts: 522	I think it is from heels being too high, frog not being healthy, and a really dry foot. I have a halter bred horse, who was contracted. He is now barefoot and his frogs are beginning to get healthier, thus pushing out the heels. He still has small feet - and always will, but they are healthy and functional. http://www.hoofrehab.com/hoof%20arti...te%20Ramey.htm Here is some good info on feet!

05-26-2008, 09:55 PM
HorseDork Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 558	i think it is a result of environment and bad trimming/shoeing. it is easily reversed by simply soaking the foot in water. horses in wet climates kept outdoors, with a well trimmed barefoot hoof should never run into that problem, but here it is very dry, so water and effol (a hoof moisture product) are necessary to keep the whole foot from becoming contracted. i also think stall kept horses are more prone to it. __________________ loves~hopes~dreams~horses

05-26-2008, 10:15 PM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,082	Can be caused by- Long foot and lack of frog pressure Lack of moisture Reduction of foot circulation Injury or disease which removes/limits weight-bearing from heels, such as Navicular Sometimes congenital. In your horse, I'd say lack of proper foot care prior to you getting her __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

05-27-2008, 07:05 AM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,082	I see, said the blind woman Has this been a long standing issue with Dixie? One foot or two? Has she worn shoes a lot? Been barefoot? Any sickness, thrush issues or lameness for an extended period? Abcess ever? And as usual, Got pics? __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

05-27-2008, 07:27 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,688	Pictures, pictures, pictures!!! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

05-27-2008, 11:55 AM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,326	I took pictures about 2 years ago. I will post them and then I will post new ones. I think they are worse. She has always been barefoot, its both heels, has never had a injury. Has very small feet in general. She had one small abscess last year that came and gone in a week. Her frogs seem very small to me. __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

05-31-2008, 12:11 PM
CatsTack Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC Posts: 106	2nd the pictures I believe it's both, too; genes and bad trimming. Good trimming will help to open the foot up some, but if that's the foot the horsey has not much can be done.