vet check shows uneven coronet!

Goodheart · 06-29-2008, 10:58 PM

So, after a very lengthy search, I have finally found a calm, kid safe, smooth gaited mare to buy as a family horse. We did the vet check yesterday and the vet notes an uneven coronet on one front hoof. If you lift the hoof and look at the heels, the coronet band is a full 1/2" lower on one side than the other (with the back of the frog in between the two sides). The horse is completely sound at the moment, but the vet couldn't say if the horse would develop problems. All she could say is that if we were planning on barrel racing or jumping, that we'd do well to look elsewhere. All we are planning for the horse is trail, camping, walk trot local shows. Nothing too challenging.
The mare is only 6 and hasn't done a whole lot to test the hoof. She has only been ridden lightly her whole life. The vet said that perhaps corrective trimming could straighten the hoof some, but she couldn't say what longterm affects may develop to adjoining structures like fetlock and knee joint. my questions are these:
1) Has anyone seen a hoof like this and if so was it a problem?
2)Would you walk away from the deal?
I'm soooo tired of horse shopping and this horse is just about perfect, but we are looking for a forever horse that will hopefully last a good long time. Sorry I didn'd think to take pics, so hope my description is enough.
Thanks everyone!

luckierthanhelooks · 06-30-2008, 12:01 AM

It doesnt sound like it would be a huge issue for what you are planning on doing...im not 100 percent sure im visualizing this right. .. but is it sheared heels? Could you have your farrier look at her and give you his/her opinion? I would ask the owner to come down in price a bit because you may have to do corrective shoeing.. also.. is it a front or a hind leg?

EquineAlberta · 06-30-2008, 12:16 AM

If the horse is wearing its hooves that unevenly, there is a reason for it. Either bad conformation, unsoundness, or a clueless farrier.

As well, that much of a difference is likely to affect her coffin bone if it has been that way for a while.

I agree with your vet, walk away....if you are really keep on this horse, then at least get x-rays of that foot, that way you can see if something is already going on, and if not, you will have something to compare to in teh future if things start to break down.

karen

Horse poor · 06-30-2008, 12:17 AM

What is her gait like? Is her hoof flight line even and straight or does she walk with a paddle or toe in? I would maybe have an X-ray done to see if the internal mechanism of the hoof is normal or not. Also as said before, have a good farrier check the hoof to see if it is something to do with the trimming of the hoof. Sounds like she is worth the extra effort.

Goodheart · 06-30-2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks guys. and yes, Horse Poor, she is worth the extra effort. She travels straight and fluid, even on hard ground. Vet had her trot on asphalt - no issues. Flex test was perfect. The Vet did not use the term "sheared heels" crooked heels is more like it. The selling agent did say that the owner had switched farriers a year ago. I'm thinking I need to call the old farrier and the new farrier ( the old farrier has a great reputation, the new farrier is unknown to me) and see what story I get from each. My farrier used to work with the old farrier and may very well have worked on this mare, but he's out of the country for 3 weeks

. So off I go snooping about in the farrier underworld. Wish me luck!

sandy42345 · 07-02-2008, 11:48 AM

Question on gaited horses. When trimming do you leave the hooves longer for gaiting purposes? The reason for this question is, when my ferrier trims, he cuts my girl short, her gait gets a lil off balanced? T.I.A.

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06-29-2008, 10:58 PM
Goodheart Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 54	vet check shows uneven coronet! So, after a very lengthy search, I have finally found a calm, kid safe, smooth gaited mare to buy as a family horse. We did the vet check yesterday and the vet notes an uneven coronet on one front hoof. If you lift the hoof and look at the heels, the coronet band is a full 1/2" lower on one side than the other (with the back of the frog in between the two sides). The horse is completely sound at the moment, but the vet couldn't say if the horse would develop problems. All she could say is that if we were planning on barrel racing or jumping, that we'd do well to look elsewhere. All we are planning for the horse is trail, camping, walk trot local shows. Nothing too challenging. The mare is only 6 and hasn't done a whole lot to test the hoof. She has only been ridden lightly her whole life. The vet said that perhaps corrective trimming could straighten the hoof some, but she couldn't say what longterm affects may develop to adjoining structures like fetlock and knee joint. my questions are these: 1) Has anyone seen a hoof like this and if so was it a problem? 2)Would you walk away from the deal? I'm soooo tired of horse shopping and this horse is just about perfect, but we are looking for a forever horse that will hopefully last a good long time. Sorry I didn'd think to take pics, so hope my description is enough. Thanks everyone!

06-30-2008, 12:01 AM
luckierthanhelooks Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: washington Posts: 118	It doesnt sound like it would be a huge issue for what you are planning on doing...im not 100 percent sure im visualizing this right. .. but is it sheared heels? Could you have your farrier look at her and give you his/her opinion? I would ask the owner to come down in price a bit because you may have to do corrective shoeing.. also.. is it a front or a hind leg?

06-30-2008, 12:16 AM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,425	If the horse is wearing its hooves that unevenly, there is a reason for it. Either bad conformation, unsoundness, or a clueless farrier. As well, that much of a difference is likely to affect her coffin bone if it has been that way for a while. I agree with your vet, walk away....if you are really keep on this horse, then at least get x-rays of that foot, that way you can see if something is already going on, and if not, you will have something to compare to in teh future if things start to break down. karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

06-30-2008, 12:17 AM
Horse poor Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,102	What is her gait like? Is her hoof flight line even and straight or does she walk with a paddle or toe in? I would maybe have an X-ray done to see if the internal mechanism of the hoof is normal or not. Also as said before, have a good farrier check the hoof to see if it is something to do with the trimming of the hoof. Sounds like she is worth the extra effort. __________________ 'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson

06-30-2008, 09:44 AM
Goodheart Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 54	Thanks guys. and yes, Horse Poor, she is worth the extra effort. She travels straight and fluid, even on hard ground. Vet had her trot on asphalt - no issues. Flex test was perfect. The Vet did not use the term "sheared heels" crooked heels is more like it. The selling agent did say that the owner had switched farriers a year ago. I'm thinking I need to call the old farrier and the new farrier ( the old farrier has a great reputation, the new farrier is unknown to me) and see what story I get from each. My farrier used to work with the old farrier and may very well have worked on this mare, but he's out of the country for 3 weeks . So off I go snooping about in the farrier underworld. Wish me luck!

07-02-2008, 11:48 AM
sandy42345 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: tennessee Posts: 401	Bare with me please. Question on gaited horses. When trimming do you leave the hooves longer for gaiting purposes? The reason for this question is, when my ferrier trims, he cuts my girl short, her gait gets a lil off balanced? T.I.A.