Tips for Hoof Cracks and Chips

can chip and wear if horses have to travel over these surfaces frequently. Some hoof protection either a shoe or boot can help prevent these types of cracks.
Symptoms
Hoof cracks can travel horizontally or vertically. Horizontal cracks and lines on all four hooves may be a sign of nutritional deficiencies. Short horizontal cracks may indicate a hoof abscess has erupted through the coronet band at the top of the hoof. As the hoof grows out the crack grows down the hoof. As it reaches the free edge it may cause the hoof to chip.
If only one foot is affected nutritional deficiencies can be ruled out. If only the front hooves are involved suspect concussion cracks from hard surfaces. If the horse is traveling over hard surfaces a lot then back hooves may also crack. Cracks in the front hooves may also be a sign of contracted heels 2
Quarter and sand cracks near the heel of the hooves may be an indication of poorly trimmed hooves. If the heels get run under or shallow the hoof wall may crack due to uneven weight distribution. This too may indicate that contracted heels are developing
If the hooves are chipping it may indicate that the horse frequently travels over rough or abrasive surfaces such as rock or gravel frozen mud or ice. Although hoof material is very strong it is still not as hard as stone or pavement. Horses that must travel on these surfaces need some protection.
Some cracks are caused by an injury at the coronet band either by a direct hit or by repeated concussion over hard surfaces. Cracks and chips can also form if the hoof is left untrimmed. Whiteline diseasean infection that sets in between the hoof wall and underlying hoof structuresmay cause the hoof to split crack or chip.
Treatment
If wet