What causes pigeon toe in horses?

Pigeon toe conformation results from crooked bones, usually in the lower limb. The only opportunity at correcting the bones is in a very young growing foal. In older horses, the growth plates are closed, the bones are “set” and the problem can only be managed, not fixed.

Is pigeon-toed a birth defect?

Pigeon toe often develops in the womb or is due to genetic birth defects, so little can be done to prevent it. Contrary to popular belief, there are no known shoes that help prevent pigeon toe and no evidence to suggest that learning to walk in bare feet has any effect on the condition.

What is the opposite of pigeon-toed in horses?

splay-footed
Toed-in (or pigeon toed) conformation in horses isn’t a big deal unless it is extreme. The opposite condition, which is splay-footed (toed-out) conformation, is a more serious fault. When the front legs deviate from correct alignment, this causes an unnatural flight path of the limbs.

Is pigeon-toed a deformity?

In toeing also called “pigeon-toed”, is an abnormal condition characterized by inward facing of the toe or feet instead of being straight. Parents may observe their children having in toeing at an early age when they start walking.

What does it mean when a horse has pigeon toe?

“Pigeon toe” refers to conformation of the limbs such that when viewed from the front, the hoof from the fetlock down deviates inward. This is much more common in front limbs. Pigeon toed limbs usually grow excessive hoof on the medial (inside).

What’s the difference between Pigeon toe and toed in conformation?

Toed-in (or pigeon toed) conformation in horses isn’t a big deal unless it is extreme. The opposite condition, which is splay-footed (toed-out) conformation, is a more serious fault. When the front legs deviate from correct alignment, this causes an unnatural flight path of the limbs.

Do you need to shod a pony with pigeon toe?

My pony was pigeon toed, nothing major though. It didn’t affect her, she was shod like any regular horse as I never felt the need to ‘fix’ it as it did no harm. The one thing that I’d worry about would be (all things considered) if/how movement is affected and if there’s any other conformation flaws on the legs?

Where do you trim a pigeon toe horse?

For base narrow or pigeon toed horses, specific instructions call for trimming more from the medial toe and leaving more on the lateral heel.