Hoof cracks

[Deleted]

I was very surprised yesterday to see that my mare is developing a series of cracks in the hoof wall both front feet. None are very deep but some are a couple of cm long. Apart from the fact that she's never had very strong feet which grow really slowly, I'm a bit perplexed as to why I'm getting cracks now. Apart from the rain we've had today, the field she's in is not particularly wet. There are just a few muddy patches around the gate and by the next door field, but apart from that there is still a short covering of grass all over. She lives out 24/7, so there shouldn't be any great moisture fluctuation. I'll try and take a photo to post but I couldn't actually see much through the rain today!

Does anyone have any thoughts? I've put her on biotin but that won't of course have any immediate effect. The trimmer is coming at the end of next week but if there are any recommendations I could try before then I'd be happy to hear.

[HB]

It could possibly just be the fact that your horse is coming up to a trim and the hoof is cracking as it is getting a bit long or unbalanced, if your horse is barefoot trimmed then I would consider mustang rolling orbevelling the edges of the hoof wall to relieve any pressure and prevent any further cracking. Other than that, if you think it might be environmental then bringing in overnight to allow the feet to dry or maybe using Right Step or Keratex Hoof Gel can help.

[Deleted]

Thanks, HB. I don't think it's a hoof length issue. If this photo posts properly, you may be able to see her feet aren't very long - lack of growth is another problem we have with her. Also, the cracks are not from the ground up.

Bringing her in is not an option at the moment. Until we move, we just don't have any stables. I'm not familiar with Right Step - what is it's basis?

<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/lizpitman/100_2197.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[Deleted]

Useless as posting photos, let's try again

<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/lizpitman/100_2197.jpg">

[Deleted]

Just as useless. You can click on the link to see the photo, though!

[touchstone]

Hi Liz, can't manage to see your piccie, although I'm useless at anything technological! Right Step is similar to the keratex hoof gel I believe and acts as a barrier to excessive moisture while allowing the hoof to breathe still. The folks on www.enlightenedequitation.com on the barefoot section of the forum are really well informed on feet and I am sure will give great advice, whether you are barefoot or shod as they have all been there and done that themselves so to speak, it might be worth putting a post on there. Hope you get some answers!

[Yann]

The only thing I could suggest would be excessive moisture, but I'd be interested to know what the answer actually is

(BTW, you need to use the code to get the picture to come up on the page)

[Deleted]

Ok, one last try:

[shep]

Mmmmm, very interesting; the cracks are very fine hairline cracks aren't they? I have never seen any cracks quite like this; my mare has a crack in the hoof but it is deeper and starts at the bottom, working up; the farrier says it had white line didease (she had this when I got her) and I have been treating it with an antibacterial agent and Cornucrescine, with good results. Be interested to know what has caused your horses hooves to crack like this.

[Gay]

There's no bevel or mustang roll at all on that foot which is the simple reason for the chipping. A good roll will fix instantly & you'll have lovely looking feet in no time if the others are similar to this one. Good luck.

[Yann]

Will a mustang roll help with cracking at the coronet band?

[PD]

These cracks aren't serious, just surface ones. I think there is a subtle amount of flare going on in the walls, and a good trimmer would have these looking beautiful in no time.

[annahindley]

Hi Liz. She hasn't had any other problems with her health recently has she? Not sure about horse, but in people, this ridged effect can occur in finger nails afer illness - esp respiratory. it is something I try to check on everyone. Just a thought, I would expect a similar effect in horses as its is thought to be diversion of the nutrients elsewhere in times of stress. I don't really see how these high cracks are caused by the lack of bevel as they appear to be growing down from the coronet, not cracking up to it.
Just a thought, not based on knowledge, just thinking in type....

[Amanda S Yorks]

They look like cosmetic moisture cracks, probably related to changes in environment a while back rather than immediately. They wouldn't worry me whatsoever.

There may be some flaring present, hard to say given the angle of the photo but there are growth rings present which indicates to me that either the hoof isn't utilising & dissappating shock as well as it could do and/or the horses diet, management or health has been changing recently resulting in changes in growth of the inner & outer wall. I'd be more concerned with addressing the cause of the growth rings than the cracks to be honest.

And no, a mustang roll or bevel won't make a difference to the surface cracks, but would help prevent chipping at ground level.

[Amanda S Yorks]

PS, you don't always need a fluctuation in moisture levels to get these cracks, a waterlogged hoof becomes oversoft and this causes as much damage, if not more, as an over dry hoof (which is actually pretty hard to do unless you're using paint-on products).