Hoof CrackA hoof crack is a sign of imbalance in the foot Hoof cracks are not just a cosmetic problem. They can cause the horse severe pain and lameness. A cracked hoof is a symptom for Deformed Hoof Syndrome. You will typically find flared hoof walls.
In a balanced healthy foot the hoofwall follows the same angle from right under the coronary band down to the ground without any deviations. This is the same hoof of my horse Jess as above a year later!  The more flare the more will the hoofwall leverage away from the foot. Eventually there will be too much tension on the hoof capsule and the wall will crack. The red lines indicate where the hoof wall should be.
Flare also puts stress on the white line which is the junction between sole and hoofwall. This can lead to hoof infections like White Line Disease. The infection will undermine the inner wall which allows for distortion of the hoof capsule. This will make the hoof more prone to cracking. How do you treat a cracked hoof? This is the left hind foot of one of my horse Shimmer. I adopted her in October 09 from a horse rescue place. Both her hind feet had cracked during the summer. They both had a huge amount of flare at the quarters. I removed the flare gradually over the past six months and brought the foot back into balance. I also sprayed the crack and sole with a non-necrotizing hoof disinfectant. Often cracks don´t heal because of bacterial and fungal infections. There is no need for a shoe, patching or wiring. Once you remove the cause for the crack it will heal! Prevention is better than cure!A healthy, balanced foot does not crack! Have your horse trimmed regularly by a good hoof care provider. Use a hoof disinfectant spray regularly to prevent hoof infections. A wet environment or standing in dung makes the hoof more prone to bacterial or fungal infections. Balanced nutrition helps to grow good quality horn and is important for a healthy immune system. Return from Hoof Crack back to Hoof Problems |
