Foal - angular limb deformity. Experiences please

[Tidy Paquet]

My 10 week old foal will be visiting the vets in the next couple of days as her front near side pastern is looking twisted from the fetlock.
My farrier has said he would like it x rayed.
I realise that the farrier may be able to do more but the vet has mentioned surgery .
This sends me in to a blind panic!!
Please tell me your experiences and whether it will do more harm than good in the long term.
As soon as surgery is mentioned I think of problems further down the line , as a mature working horse.

PLEASE HELP!

[fatpiggy]

I thought they put plaster casts on affected limbs to straighten them, not surgery.

[vikkiandmonica]

Can I just ask, why does this happen to foals, and are some more likely to get it than others?

[Janetterose]

I know of a stallion that frequently throws deformed foals. Hes in top demand but it is well known that it happens. Dont understand why people go there my self!!

[kerilli]

Kissy_S, i doubt that is common knowledge... please let me know by pm the name of the stallion, just for my own use.
VikkiandMonica, i think it is something that can happen due to the positioning of the foal in the womb. obv an older horse with a deformity will usually be pts.
OP, if you post pictures, i am sure people on here with experience of such things can advise.
i had a foal operated on at about 4 weeks to have uneven growth plates at the knees scraped. now i know that this problem can be self-levelling and therefore the op was probably totally unnecessary... he came totally sound and straight, fwiw.

[vicijp]

If the vets advise surgery go for it, at 10 weeks old time is running out to make a major change to the bone structure. Better surgery now then have a deformed cripple for the rest of its life.

[Tidy Paquet]

Thanks.
Kerrilli - how old is your horse now, that had the knees scraped please?
I am probably jumping the gun and she may just need a special little shoe, as you can see the deviation is on the near fore - it did match the off fore but has suddenly grown more on one side.

[Daisychain]

Im not being funny, but i think your vet likes making money.... I hardly think there is anything worth worriying about at this stage.

If it was me, i would leave well alone.

[S_N]

A few questions:

a) Is your vet a stud vet?
b) Have you sought a second opinion?
c) Has Shockwave Therapy been mentioned?

[Tidy Paquet]

[ QUOTE ]
A few questions:

a) Is your vet a stud vet?
b) Have you sought a second opinion?
c) Has Shockwave Therapy been mentioned?

[/ QUOTE ]
Answers are as follows-

a) No
b) No but I will if surgery is suggested
c)No
xx

Daisy Chain - You have cheered me up x