Over at the knees

My 5 month old foal is over at the knees… Is there anything I can do to help this issue?

From that picture it looks very minor. Angular limb deformities of the knee/hock can generally only be corrected until 4 months of age. After that the relevant growth plates are closed. That said, I would have a good vet out to evaluate where things stand. I would also make sure the horse is seeing the farrier every 4 weeks or so. A good trim that keeps everything balanced can do a world of good.

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What a pretty boy ! I think if you have a good vet available he can guide you. It doesn’t look major.

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It is REALLY common for fast-growing young foals to go through “contracted” tendon stages, resulting in an OATK look. Bones growing faster than tendons does this.

his is barely noticable. Start paying attention to when you see this. Seeing it first thing in the morning after he’s rested all night is different from seeing it later in the day when he’s tired and his muscles are tired.

Notice when it’s more, and less apparent as days go on. Growth spurts may make it more apparent for a few more months.

For his age, and this minor oatk, I wouldn’t lose a second of sleep

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Knees close in the 2-3 year range.
Hocks close in the 3-5 year range depending on which joint you’re talking about.

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You are absolutely correct! I forget the surgeon’s exact explanation for why he felt that 6 months was the cut-off, it was a long time ago.

That said, OP - the horse I knew was so very much worse than yours.

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He probably said that, because surgical correction of angular limb deformities is usually done beginning at around 6 months (to a year, but that’s leaving it late) when it is most effective. Splints bandaging etc can be done but your best bet is to hop right on it as soon as the foal has “unfolded” and you see if what you have needs surgical correction.
No vet will be trying to surgically correct a valuable 2 year old. Some problems obviously will not correct themselves and some can. If they can, it is done early. :+1:

I don’t see a huge problem with the colt in the photo and slightly over at the knee isn’t something really correctable by surgery anyway. Rather the horse is a little over, than back at the knee.

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Thank you all for the responses. It’s incredibly comforting- I have to admit, I was having quite a panic. Is there anything I can do in the meantime or is it just a waiting game? Thank you!

Just watch him. Take side view pictures every couple days, same time of day, so you can objectively track his progress. Note whether he seems straighter in the morning or less straight in the evening (normal). Note how butt-high he is - growth spurt which can change how the front end sits.

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