Q: I am hoping I can get some advice. I recently purchased a 2-year-old Thoroughbred as a racing prospect. I had her vet checked and the trainer said that she did not have any problems, issues or the like.

She is a wonderful filly, full of energy and perfect in every way with no health problems. I am really looking forward to racing her.

My only problem is that the farrier — who has shod her since I bought her — is saying that she is very flat-footed on her right front. Her left front seems fine. The last time she was shod, she came up lame in the right front leg, but the farrier says he’s checked her shoes and there’s nothing wrong with the shoeing. He further adds that she’s a little stiff in her gaits, which could indicate a sore back. This surprises me because she hardly does any work.

Can you please advise me if flat feet can just happen, or do they arise from something specific, such as shoeing, too much road work, etc? She is flat-footed on just one foot — and her heel is clearly lower than on the other foot. Could this create an imbalance which could give her a sore back or shoulder?

As I mentioned, my filly is only 2 years and 5 months old. She is a big horse, already standing about 16 hands. She is only being ridden once a week (for 15 minutes), is turned out in…