4 day old stud colt walking question

Question
I have a 4 day old stud colt that when he stands or walks appears to be walking as if he is on his tip toes.  He does this even when standing still.  I have also observed that once up and standing the foot then bends at the joint and then he attempts to bare weight on the joint area.  He was a full-term birth but front chest is concave. I have seen this in other foals and it has daily corrected itself as they have gained strength. I am not seeing this with this colt.  Will it correct itself or do I need to consider some type of splinting?

Answer
Brent,

He needs to be seen by a vet.  Your description sounds like a contracted tendon situation.  You will need to discuss the options for treatment with a vet.  If a clinic is available take him there.  The condition can be treated with surgery, severing the flexor tendon.  A newer method has been developed by a company in California.  It's a device called a Dyna-cast.  I've seen a couple of horses with contracted tendons who wore these devices and you wouldn't know today that they ever suffered the condition.  It's an adjustable cast put on the leg.  The horse can still move around and walk with it on.  Minor adjustments are made regularly to force the tendons to stretch over time to where they should be.  You can check it out on the 'Net.  A third option is to cut your losses and put him down.  Not something I like to say but this is not something that will improve over time.  

As far as the chest goes, it won't develop until he's able to use his front leg properly.  It will catch up once he's able to use his front end again.  

I hope this helps.