Management of flexural limb deformities in young horses

Flexural limb deformities in young horses are a common problem requiring ve terinary intervention. Deformities of the carpal, fetlock, and distal inter phalangeal joints can be mild or severe and no single treatment regime is u niversally successful. Analgesia, tetracycline administration, limb splinta ge,and surgical transection of tendons or accessory ligaments may be requir ed for treatment. The purpose of this article is to provide equine practiti oners with guidelines for selection of treatment protocols for both congeni tal and acquired flexural limb deformities.