Today we will finish our discussion on problems that can occur in newborn foals.  All foals should have their legs examined at birth and any abnormalities noted.  Some foals, especially those that are premature, can have collapse of the bones in the knees and hocks.  These foals will have misaligned legs and radiographs are required to diagnose the problem.  If these bones are immature, stall confinement is usually sufficient to allow them time to mature, but some of the more severe cases may require casting.  However, it is important to remember that any kind of a splint or cast can cause ligament weakness in a foal.  If possible, the fetlock and foot should be left out of the splint or cast. 

Another leg condition is the windswept foal.  These foals have a conformational defect in which both fore legs or hind legs are slanted in the same direction.  In other words, one front leg will have a knee in conformation and the other front leg will have a knee out conformation.  This condition is thought to occur due to uterine malposition before birth.  Although these foals look very abnormal, surprisingly most of then will correct without treatment other than confinement to a small pen until the legs straighten.  Many foals will have angular limb deformities at birth that will correct with stall confinement.  However, some of these will require surgical correction.  These foal’s legs should be monitored closely, and if they don’t improve by the age of 3 weeks, they should be reexamined and radiographed.  Congenital flexor tendon laxity, as well as flexor or extensor tendon contracture, are also common in foals.  Due to the many different treatments required in foals with these tendon conditions, we will discuss them at length in future programs.  If you have a foal with possible leg problems, consult your vet immediately.