I’m going to pick up my childhood mare this weekend (which I’m super excited to care for her for the rest of her life). As foal she was born coon footed and never had soundness issues. I’m happy to announce she’ s coming home 100% sound. My question is, is this conformation default genetic? Her dam and sire do not have this issue and I’ve known this mare since she was a foal so there’s no chance of injury causing this. Since she’s still at a decent breeding age, I would like to breed her for a foal that my children can grow up with too. She has an excellent dispositon and was a spectacular versitility horse. I just don’t want to being another horse into the world that has confirmation defaults. Any information would be greatful!
You may have to go further up the tree or look at other siblings, sire or dam’s other produce, etc, to see if the tendency for lax suspensory/weak pasterns is passed on.
If its DSLD related, that’s genetic for sure.
I owned a lovely gelding bought as a two year old and slightly coon-footed in hinds. He was a super mover and was a very good eventer but began to have hock issues eventually. He was sold with full disclosure as a trail horse (no jumping) but the hock issues worsened as he aged. The hock issues were completely tied to the weak pasterns so, no, I wouldn’t breed a mare who is coon-footed.
Not a chance I’d breed her :no:
Thank you for all your imput!
Her registered name is Sprockets Contessa. Does anyone know much about her bloodline? I’m somewhat familiar with Go man Go and was advised some about Double Bid, but on the sires side I’m unfamilar. Does anyone know about coon footed horses on her background? Any information is wonderful!
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/sprockets+contessa
I would not breed her. It is the more severe conformational defect of the pasterns, far more serious than your average “soft” pasterns which a broodmare can develop during pregnancy from the hormonal changes.
The “coon footed” horse’s pastern angle is so severely soft it breaks the line of angulation between the pastern to the hoof, compounded by the fact the pastern is also usually too long. Some horses develop callouses on their fetlock joints from constantly making contact with the ground. Just like other serious conformational defects it can be passed on quite readily to the offspring. It is a serious enough defect that horses with it should be rejected as breeding stock.
Tends to come with overly straight hocks, and also tends to worsen with age. It’s frequently a sign of DSLD, which is a GIANT “NO” for breeding.
Thank you for the imput. From hearing this information, I will not be breeding her. She will do wonderful retiring at my home with all the love in the world. It’s too bad she might pass on the bad conformation trait, she is an incrediable horse!
Thank you again!
