Horse keeps stepping on his back feet?

Question

My new 5yr old somehow keeps managing to step on himself in the hind end, and cutting up his back feet and legs. What can I use so he doesn't keep cutting himself. I know the bell boots are more for front so when they over reach with a back foot they don't cut themselves or pull a shoe off. Any ideas???

Answer 1

You can use bell boots on the back - it's not actually that uncommon.

Also there are pastern boots or sausage boots that may be of some help depending on where he's striking himself.

It would also be a good idea to discuss this with your farrier as there's the possibility that he could trim the feet in a slightly different way or fit a different type of shoe to reduce the damage.

If you've not had him long it may be that the problem will become less as he gets fitter and builds more muscle.

Answer 2

Polo wraps go much lower than boots, I would try those on all four legs. Get someone to show you how to put them on. If you wrap them wrong, you can do more harm than good.

EDIT:

You can't leave polo wraps or standing wraps on for 24/7, so I would just put boots on him for turnout.

Answer 3

On a side note, you might want to bring it up to your vet the next time they are out.  EPM or other neuralgic problems have symptoms similar to that.  A vet can do a neurological exam and tell you if your horse is just clumsy, or if the horse has neuralgic issues and just can't tell where his hind feet are.

Answer 4

We always called it over-reach and our long legged horses used to have it. Boots will help but it's kinda something that is hard to get rid of. They don't mean to do it. But boots should help and when he does cut jsut ointment and bandaging. You mean his front feet cut his back legs and feet??? that's weird, we always had it the back hooves cut the back of the front legs. hmmmm. weird. But certain companies make over-reach boots. Our horses always quit doing it after awhile, wheather they grew out of it or what, i don't know. Hope it helped a little

Answer 5

Well bell boots would be your best bet.  Yes, they are more for the front but you can use them on their back feet in this type of situation.  

You can also use a fetlock ring  (pictured here)http://www.marystack.com/aaaaaaaazr.html

Ive only had to use it with one horse who kept clipping his back leg.  You can ride in it and leave it on 24 hours if needed.  Just be sure to check it everyday to make sure its not rubbing and causing sores on your horse.  You can always get a piece of sheepskin tubing to cover it if you leave it on all day.

Using the SMBs as protection is good for his legs as long as he is not cutting through the boot and you don't see any damage to his legs when you remove them.  You can also put him in quilts and standings for night time to protect his legs.

You mentioned his feet were shod and were not great but getting better.  Good to check on that. His feet may just need to be corrected more.   As mentioned it could just be his conformation.  Try to watch him clipping himself if possible.  Having him video taped while your on him would be ideal so he is being worked normally when you notice the interference.

Answer 6

Boots and bandages would be my answer, that will stop any further aesthetic damage but won't solve the problem.

Have you had your farrier look at him?

Answer 7

I believe they are called SMB boots.  They cover the pastern area and go up as high to the cannon bone (midway).  You can also check out splint boots..if he is hitting himself hard, then I would get the ones that have the hard rubber or plastic as the all neoprene ones might not offer the protection needed if he cuts himself up badly.

Have you checked with your farrier as there might be some type of corrective shoeing that would straighten his gait from crossing over..unless it is a conformation fault or laziness.  

Have you had someone or yourself trot him ( in hand) to see how he is managing to do this?

-----add---

You could come up with something like this..although it looks bulky..I think the rubber bell boots might be less restricting as these look like shipping boots....

http://www.equestriancollections.com/ite...

or something like these....

http://www.equestriancollections.com/ite...

or the next to last picture here....

http://www.buytack.com/products/legcare/...