Straight Talk on Treatment

Ever seen a little foal that looks like the wind’s been blowing from one side a bit too long?

Meet the windswept foal — a classic example of an angular limb deformity in action.

The good news? With the right plan (and good teamwork), these cases can do brilliantly. Here’s how we tackle them

Corrective trimming:

Our farrier team works magic here! Small, frequent trims can help rebalance how the foot hits the ground and redirect forces up the limb.

Extensions:

Glue-on or lightweight extensions can shift the weight distribution and give growing bones a little nudge in the right direction.

Splints and bandages:

Used carefully and for short periods, these help support weak or lax joints while the soft tissues strengthen.

Surgery:

In more severe or stubborn cases, we can use procedures like periosteal stripping or transphyseal bridging to guide bone growth — but timing is everything.

No matter the approach, monitoring is critical. Foals grow fast — sometimes changing week to week — and what’s perfect timing for one joint might be too late for another.

That’s why early checks and ongoing follow-up make all the difference between a lifelong wonky gait and a straight-moving star