Yearlings back and legs?

Question

My 14 month old paint gelding had splayed hind legs and it is not getting better as he gets older. Also it looks like he has a swayed back. Here are some pics of him. Do you think his back feet are splayed out badly? Can be fixed? Also does him back looked swayed?

Body:

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_4975.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_4979.jpg

Back legs:

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_4980.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/Kdooo/100_4983.jpg

Answer 1

He looks like a 14 month old to me.  When a horse has a growth spurt, the back end grows taller first, then the front end catches up.  Give him some time and he'll even out.  As for the back legs, his right hind might be a little off but good trims on a regular basis should correct that.  You could also get him "corrective" shoeing.  Ask for vet to recommend a farrier that specializes in problems, not all farriers are equal.  I think ingeneral he looks normal for his age.

Answer 2

When young horses grow, first their withers shoot up, then their back end shoots up and this continues on until they are basically 4 yrs old.  You're not the only one thinkin' that their baby is sway backed.

You're right, he is splayed out a bit in the back.  And your shoer says he can't or won't help him straighten out?  Time to call another shoer and see if they can help him with a corrective trim.

Answer 3

His back looks a little odd right now, but it looks like he's in a growth spurt and maybe the hips are going up now, the withers will catch up and he should be fine.

As for the back legs, actually, you can do Healthy Stride trimming on his feet and they'll go back to straight. My mare was like that but really, it's just too much foot growing in one part and not enough in another, so their feet go outwards. I'd look up Healthy Stride if I were you and see if you can find a farrier around you that might be able to help him.

I love his coloring! I ADORE paints, I can't wait for the day I can own one. :)

Answer 4

he has cow hocks. my four year old had this when he was. well four. it never truly goes away. but it has improved. i actually liked the cowed hocks because for jumping they give my boy more spring. lol. and his back looks swayed because his back is taller than his front

Answer 5

He is toed out and cow hocked to a far degree but i dont think it will make him totally unsound.  He is not sway backed .. he'll grow into himself.  Give him time and regular trims by a good farrier and i think you'll be able to stand him up fairly well.

Answer 6

At 14 months old, your gelding has LOTS of growing to do yet.  Until he's two, his legs are still growing and maturing.  From the shoulder up he matures incrementally after 3.

I don't see this horse as sway backed - I see his rear currently sits higher than his withers which tells me he will get quite a bit taller.

I do see where one might see him as "cow hocked" as his hocks do seem a bit close together, but at 14 months, he's got a TON of bulk to put on, which will make him hold himself better.

He's a baby with lots of growing to do - I would suggest perhaps having more than one farrier see him and see what their opinions are of his trimming job - it's hard to tell whether he's trimmed poorly from the pictures but he does look well balanced.

Also, what did his parents look like - did either of them have "cow hocks"?  If so, it could be hereditary.  

Now, if the horse is more 'cow hocked' than natural and he's been that way since birth, trying to correct this might cause problems.

My 7 year old mare has a front leg that's slightly off - she will and can stand straight, but more often than not, her toe is slightly twisted outward.  She often throws her leg out more on that one as well, but she's sound and it's common enough.  also, for barrel racing, the does seem to help her a little get around properly on that side.  I COULD try corrective shoeing, and we did trim her to correct this as a youngster - but no matter how we tried, it's just the way she was built - trying to hard would have caused her pain - and wouldn't have made her any more sound than she was.

So, since she's conformationally correct, she just stands sometimes at rest with her foot a little screwy and she can stand straight if she is thinking about her feet, we don't worry about it.

Some horses with TB blood in them will have swaybacks from the moment they are born.  My sister has one that's sound as anything, but she's got high withers and a big dip behind'em - she just had to manufacture a saddle pad that would help any saddle fit her better.

I don't however, see any swayback in this youngster.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Corrective shoeing may help his hind feet to straighten just a tad, but it might be a little late to start.  Have you had a farrier evaluate his stance and feet angles?  Sometimes just trimming them strategically can help.  Ask a farrier for advice.

His back looks fine.  He has a pretty good body, just kind of prominent withers and croup, but that will help keep a saddle from slipping/turning later on, so be glad.  It's much better than having no withers, in my opinion!  He's pretty.

Edit:  The hind legs being like that shouldn't prevent him from being a good horse, generally speaking.  Probably never be a show horse but if you just want to ride him for fun, he's great.  His pasterns are a little long on all four, but he's standing up on them well, so I wouldn't worry too much if he shows no signs of a problem in his gaits.  Just don't work him too early, no overly heavy riders, etc.

Answer 8

Then your farrier must already be trimming to help correct it. I have the same problem with my yearling on being cow hocked...I asked about corrective shoeing and was told a that corrective trimming is better. That is just what I have been told by a couple farriers I spoke with recently.

Answer 9

over here, we would say he has 'cow hocks' as his hocks turn in. Corrective shoeing may help straighten him up abit, but if its in his conformation then he will probably stay like that. As the person above said, he will never be a show horse... but as long as he is broken in late (4yrs at least) and not ridder to hard then you shouldnt find a problem with him. He should stay fairly sound, but as far as riding him in concerned of course you will be able to.. aslong as he isnt pushed etc. good luck. (he's a bit of a looker :D)

Answer 10

He reminds me of a gangly knock kneed girl who just got real tall and is tripping over herself.  Then she grows up and becomes a stunning supermodel.  He is all legs..and downhill because of his higher rump.  But as he levels out, his long legs will probably straighten out, since his front end will match his back end.  I just think it's too soon to worry...