Contracted Heel

[RavenWood]

I've been offered a beautiful Arab mare, 13 yrs, well broke, well bred, very sweet disposition for only the cost of getting her here. Only problem, she has 1 contracted heel. The owner bought her as a broodmare but doesn't want to breed her with her hoof problem. I know this can be genetic and I've asked the owner for more info but if it is caused by poor shoeing or trimming can it be rectified? Any information you guys can offer would be great, on both the Contracted Heel and it's consequences, remedies etc.

[Gallamist]

Quote from yourhorsecare.com

A front hoof which is excessively longer than it is wide, is generally considered to be contracted. This also means that the heels are contracted.

A contracted hoof loses it ability to properly absorb concussion leaving the horse predisposed to major concussion related inquiries such as Navicular Disease, Ringbone, Pedal (coffin bone) Osteitis or Fractures and premature Arthritis.

This condition is most likely the result of improper trimming and fitting of the metal shoe by unskilled farriers. A small minority of cases are due to environmental and genetic factors.

Too much heel left on after trimming is a major contributor to this condition. The frog plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy hoof. Weight bearing on the frog (secondary weight) helps force the heels out into their correct position. When the heels are left too long, the frog loses it's ability to bear weight and as a result the frog contracts, which then causes heel contraction.

It is this expansion process which helps absorb concussion delivered to the hoof. Incorrectly set metal shoes prevent the weight bearing expansion process. No hoof protection is better than crippling your horse with unprofessionally fitted metal shoes. If your horse has this condition, the metal shoes should be removed immediately.

It is your front hooves which bear most of the horses body weight. If your horse is going to break down it is usually in the front making it vital that your horses front hooves have the correct shape and heel length. A competent horse person can determine just by looking at the front feet whether the horse is likely to succumb to a serious injury.

Be assured ...there is only one way and that is natures way, and if you divert from this your horse will break down. If your horse suffers from this condition, it is vital that an immediate corrective trimming program is undertaken by a skilled farrier.

~~So according to this it's not genetic and can be corrected with a skilled farrier.

[NancyM]

It certainly can be genetic. There was a stallion around here a few years ago who threw about 75% of his offspring with a club foot/contracted heel. If work by a competant farrier starts soon, and is kept up regularly, a foot like this can be managed and be kept almost as sound as a regular foot, even in demanding disciplines. If severe, or left untreated or treated incorrectly, then the problems described in the last post become more evident. The condition may be treated barefoot, or with shoes, but obviously if shoes are used they must be correctly fitted and the foot trimmed to encourage expansion in the heel before they are applied. Many farriers are not able to do this. Horses with two matching, well shaped feet are easier to shoe and keep sound. So I would say that it depends on how bad the contracted foot is, whether you should be interested in this mare, and whether she goes sound on it. The aquisition of any horse is always a calculated risk, and there is little guarantee that any of them will not suffer unsoundnesses and problems in the future. Owning any one of them is an experience in dealing with their own particular problems. Don't be thinking that you are going to find a perfect one, because there is no such thing, just one that you haven't figured out it's problems yet. :whenpigsfly: (This is an example of when you will find a horse without any problems at all). LOL. So talk to your farrier, and find out the extent and severity of the contracted foot. Since you are a beginner rider (I think), your physical demands on the horse will not be excessive, and if she is perfect in every other way, she may be OK for you, where she may not be OK for someone who is looking for an international level 3 day event prospect.

[RavenWood]

Wow - thanks for the great information guys. I completely agree NancyM- there is no perfect horse and I'm preparing myself for any and all problems which is why I'm researching. I've asked the owner to go indepth with information about this horse and her contracted heel issue so that I can make an informed decision. I guess I better see if I can find a farrier ... I don't know if we even have one in town?!

[Monka]

I'd suggest you do some research on the internet and read about the barefoot trim. You are for sure gonna run into the "contracted heels" issue when you read up on the trim as pretty much all horses that go from being shod to going barefoot have contracted heels. However, if trimmed correctly, over time you can get the hoof into a healthy shape. There is tons of information on this on barefoot sites. Good luck!

[modHoofservant]

barefoot sites:

www.barefoothorse.com
www.ironfreehoof.com
www.thehorseshoof.com
www.hopeforsoundness.com
www.tribeequus.com

[Mercedes]

If it is only one foot that is contracted and no others appear to be 'contracting' then I would say it's genetic. A farrier that causes contraction through improper trimming and shoeing will do almost the identical thing to both sets (front or back) or all four feet rather than just one foot out of four.

Whether it's genetic or not though, you can improve the foot with good trimming and shoeing, IMO.

[RavenWood]

Wow - thanks guys - I've got some studying to do. FWIW I posted a photo of this mare in Lindsey's Arabian Conformation post if you care to look at her. She's really a pretty thing but I'm really iffy about the contracted heel. These links should help me decide.

[Appagility]

I do my mare who is contracted on one front hoof. The concusion iritates the navicular region with pain of course. I investigated the procedure in which to create relief. Soundness is the goal and can be obtained. The hoof capsule is basicaly pinching the sensitive structure inside because it is shrinking. Like wearing a tight shoe on your foot. Ouch! Your foot tingles and goes numb,
Cuts off blood flow and you will experience what the horse does. Throbing pain.

I cut away any heal that turned in beond the line of the bars. I also notched away
some of the heal surface so the bearing weight there would be secondary.
I lowered the heals until I could see movement when pressing inward with my thumbs. I found that contraction was due to to steep of angle causing the heals to grow to deep. Slight lameness may occur but is overcome in a few days.
The horse will want to run voluntarily because it feels better.
A soaking in water will soften the hoof and help it expand.
Leaving the horse barefoot on non concusive ground is benaficial.

My mare's hoof will not regain it's original size due to the length of time it was left
that way. The old theory of a navicular problem was to create a taller heel with
an eggbar shoe. This has proven to be the problem not a solution. An eggbar shoe is best used as a paper weight.
My Mare is totaly functional and willing to run. No more bruising or seedy toe or
thrush. The circulation has returned with a healthy white line .

Mission Accomplished!

[RavenWood]

That's wonderful Appagility! Thanks so much for the great outline on fixing your mare's problem. I've copied and saved your post for future reference in case I decide to get this mare.