Page 444 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

ANGULAR LIMB DEFORMITIES IN FOALS

VetBooks.ir A foal may be born with an angular limb deformity (congenital) or the condition may

develop in the first few weeks or months of life (acquired). In each case there is a medial
(inward) or lateral (outward) deviation of the limb distal to the carpus (knee), tarsus (hock) or

fetlock. A medial deviation is known as varus and a lateral one as valgus. The commonest
deformity is carpal valgus where the lower part of the cannon bone deviates outwards giving

the foal a knock-kneed appearance (Figure 10.8). The next most common deformity is
fetlock varus where the pastern is deviated medially from the fetlock. One or several joints

may be affected.