🐴 Treating Clubfoot in Horses: Hoof Care & Surgery Solutions in 2025 🦶✂️

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Clubfoot is a condition in which the coffin joint in a horse’s hoof remains in a partially flexed position, leading to an abnormally upright hoof angle. This deformity, caused by a shortened deep digital flexor tendon and muscle, can lead to chronic pain, poor performance, and even hoof damage. In 2025, we now have a spectrum of non-invasive and surgical strategies to address this issue—especially when caught early. 🧠🐎

🔍 What Does a Clubfoot Look Like?

From the front, a club foot is easy to recognize:

• 📏 The hoof wall is steeper and more vertical than normal
• 🎯 The hoof angle exceeds 60 degrees; in severe cases, it may be over 90 degrees
• 🚶 Horses may walk toe-first and display shortened stride in the affected limb

Compare this to the normal hoof angle of 50–55 degrees. In clubfoot, the horse’s inability to properly extend the coffin joint keeps the toe elevated and heel contracted. 🦶

🧬 What Causes Clubfoot?

The underlying cause is a contracture of the deep digital flexor tendon and muscle. This shortening pulls the coffin bone and hoof into a more vertical position. 📉

It may be:

• 👶 Congenital: Present at birth in foals
• ⏳ Acquired: Developed later in life from overuse, injury, or poor limb conformation

🩺 Clinical Consequences of Clubfoot

Left untreated, clubfoot can lead to:

• 💥 Bruising at the toe due to improper load distribution
• 💧 Chronic sole abscesses
• 🦴 Coffin bone remodeling or damage in severe cases
• 🚫 Restricted motion and reduced performance

Early treatment significantly improves outcomes and can often eliminate the need for surgery. 🛠️

👶 Clubfoot in Foals

Most foals will outgrow mild clubfoot deformities as their limbs strengthen with exercise. However:

• 🩹 Some may benefit from bandaging or splinting to support proper alignment
• 👟 Corrective trimming may begin at 2–4 weeks of age
• 📆 Monitoring hoof angles every 2–4 weeks is key

In mild to moderate cases, no further treatment is needed once the tendon adapts and elongates. 👶🧠

🧰 Trimming & Farrier Care for Older Horses

For horses beyond the foal stage, the goal is to:

• 📉 Reduce the heel height slowly over time
• ✂️ Shorten the toe to improve breakover
• 📆 Schedule trims every 2–4 weeks to avoid shock

Farriers should never lower the heel aggressively—it risks tendon strain or coffin bone rotation. 🧠🩺

🦵 Stretching the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon

With consistent trimming, you can gradually stretch the tendon-muscle unit. This may allow the hoof to return to a more natural angle over time. Ideal candidates are:

• 📅 Horses under 1 year old
• 🧬 Mild to moderate contractures

For more advanced cases or older horses, trimming alone is usually not sufficient. ⚠️

🔪 Surgical Correction for Severe Clubfoot

If conservative care fails, a surgical procedure may be needed. The most common surgery is:

✂️

• 🔪 Involves cutting the accessory (check) ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon
• 🧬 Allows the tendon to lengthen, relieving tension
• 🧠 Can restore normal hoof alignment in many cases

Surgery is often followed by therapeutic trimming and rehab. Most horses show improved limb function and hoof conformation within 6–12 weeks. 🏥

📊 Monitoring & Maintenance

Once corrected—whether through trimming or surgery—clubfoot requires ongoing care:

• 📆 Frequent trimming (every 4 weeks)
• 👣 Regular gait assessments
• ⚖️ Good nutrition and balanced hoof loading

Relapse is possible if hoof angles are not maintained. 🔁

📲 Ask A Vet for Clubfoot Evaluation

If your horse has a vertical hoof or shows difficulty with breakover, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App for expert feedback and farrier collaboration. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help assess severity, recommend trimming schedules, and decide if surgery is the next step. 🧠💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

Clubfoot is manageable with early intervention and individualized care. In 2025, surgical and farrier advances make it easier than ever to restore balance and prevent chronic pain. Don't delay—if your horse shows signs of clubfoot, act early. 🧠❤️

Need a hoof consultation? Visit AskAVet.com and let’s fix your horse’s foundation 🐎🦶