Hoof Cracks: Types and Treatment Whether big or small, these hoof wall imperfections require prompt repair and stabilization. Favorite Share:. How did your horse develop a crack in one of his seemingly impenetrable feet, and what can you do to halt its advance? Grass Crack Typically a grass crack is a superficial flaw that starts from the ground and moves upward.
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Non-necessary Non-necessary. They can be vertical or horizontal. A horizontal crack is sometimes called a cleft and originates at the top of the foot due to an abscess that burst or tread wound at the hair line and then has begun to grow out. Injuries are common causes of hoof cracks. These types of cracks are a result of an injury from wire or a piece of machinery the horse gets into. Hoof growth originates from the top of the hoof similar to our finger and toenails.
When the growth origin is injured it affects the hoof ever after. If permanent line develops from top to bottom underneath an injury in the hairline this is called a false quarter. The foot might be weaker in this area. As the injury becomes dry and begins to crack, it is recommended that the owner apply Vaseline or bag balm to the coronary band to prevent drying out. Cracks often worsen from an injury that is not maintained. A crack at the bottom of the foot can be caused by the horse stepping on something - then the foot breaks out.
As a horse is trimmed a light bevel around the bottom edge of the foot is helpful for prevention. When a horse is shod this bevel is not necessary since the horseshoe provides protection. When a horse is left too long between trimming intervals, the feet could break off, sometimes shorter than what they would have been trimmed, making the horse sore or lame.
Horses should be trimmed regularly, depending on how fast the hoofs grow. The rate of growth is affected by heredity, season of the year and footing. Weight on various parts of the hoof also influences growth and wear.
Cracks at the hairline are typically more severe compared to cracks at the bottom of the foot even though the ones on the ground look worse. Underrun heels, which are primarily inherited, are caused by uneven weight on the horse's feet, producing an imbalance due to a broken back hoof pastern axis. This causes a long toe and low heel, which can result in a toe crack. After rupture, as the wall grows out, well-connected lamina develops above the now-visible crack and takes the place of the damaged tissue.
Lameness soon subsides. As the crack gets closer to the ground, the area below the crack may snap off due to the detached lamina below the rupture site. The bars of the hoof are an extension of the hoof wall. Abscesses of the bar are more serious and painful than those of the wall, as invasion of the white line of the bars can spread and affect areas of the solar connective tissue papillae , causing eventual detachment of the sole.
Often, abscesses are thought incorrectly to be caused by trauma to the sole. Sharp objects may strike the sole of a soft-soled hoof, but the result will be a wound.
Practitioners need to be able to distinguish between sole trauma and white-line abscesses to avoid confusion. Epsom-salt soaks may help soften the coronet band to encourage the abscess to erupt, while pain medications and padded boots can offer relief post-rupture.
Skilled veterinarians have drilled tiny holes in the outer wall in the path of the abscess, enabling discharge and relieving pressure and pain. But even when so drained, the abscess will still rupture at the hairline in most cases.
To dig into the sole is a common approach to relieve pressure, but that procedure can cause further trauma to a hoof rather than relieve pain. Where-to-Ride Guide. Training Tips. Ground Work. Pattern Perfect. Private Lesson. Ranch Events. Trail Riding. Western Pleasure. Trail Breeds. Trail Gear. Trail Riding Destinations. Organized Trail Rides. Vacation Planning. Trail Safety.
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