Improving breakover on a long-toed horse
- Tony McNamara
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 25
Equine Podiatrist: Tony McNamara
Horse: Irish Draught X Thoroughbred
History: I visited this horse after receiving an emergency call from his owner. A respected local Ride with Your Mind coach had refused to teach the horse due to its unnatural gait and had worries about him coping in the school.
Upon examination, it was clear that the ‘toes’ on the horse were excessively long despite the feet being trimmed every six weeks. Although the horse was sound, his movement was severely exaggerated, with a short stride and excessively high lifting of his legs in an attempt to cope with the breakover at his toes.
Despite the elongated and slippered-forward hooves, the horse generally had strong feet with good structures. The approach was to correctively trim the hooves, gradually bringing the toes back over a few trims to avoid stress on the tendons and ligaments. Even after the first trim it was obvious that the horse was far more comfortable and able to move more easily.
Initially, the horse was trimmed every two weeks, the owner complemented this care with daily walking in boots and pads to protect and stimulate the neglected soles. This regime improved his comfort and allowed his hooves to regain a better shape.
After just a few visits, the horse returned to a six-week trim schedule and returned to full-ridden work.
There is still some stretch in the dorsal wall, and it’s expected that over time, with correct management and trimming that connection will improve and the wall straighten.
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