Horse Hoof Crack Rundown

hoof capsule is compromised.
This can be a weak spot that may eventually become a horizontal crack that can allow opportunistic bacteria to enter he notes. If the horse hoof crack continues to grow it will get to the loadbearing surface of the hoof and the hoof can break.
If you can see movement in the hoof on one or both sides of a crack this is serious as it means the hoof capsule has sustained significant compromise.
When a barefoot horse develops a hoof crack in the middle of the toe at the front of the hoof this can open the door for opportunistic bacteria and potentially lead to infection such as white line disease. In addition to trimming the area specifically to address the toe crack your farrier will likely recommend a topical product to kill bacteria.
Quarter Cracks in Horse Hooves
Located in the back quadrant of the horse hoof a quarter horse hoof crack is a vertical crack that originates at the coronary band and extends downward. This type of crack starts internally and only becomes visible when it pops. The horse may or may not be lame.
Quarter cracks dont always bleed and every bleeding quarter crack doesnt always create lameness says Bras. If you do have a bleeding quarter crack you should always be concerned because internal structures are involved even if the horse is not lame. He notes that quarter cracks are usually related to loadbearing and how the horse moves.
This is a serious type of horse hoof crack that cannot be ignored as it reduces the loadbearing surface of the hoof. Your farrier and veterinarian should be involved in treatment which may require wire lacing andor a patch or glue to stabilize the crack. A therapeutic shoe such as a bar shoe may also be needed to take

pressure off the section of hoof below the crack.
Hoof Care Schedule
Your first line of defense against horse hoof cracks is regular attention by a hoofcare professional. Because your farrier typically comes every four to six weeks he or she should note any significant changes in the feet and should mention if your veterinarian should also be consulted.
The farrier looks at things from the outside in while the veterinarian is looking at it from the inside out thinking of interior structure problems in the hoof that may reveal outer signs like cracks says Bras. A farrier and a veterinarian provide very
different services but with you as the horses owner its a team of three.
Many owners ask how often their horses hooves require trimming or shoeing but there is no blackandwhite answer to this question.
If the horse grows a lot of foot he likely needs care every four weeks with a horse that doesnt grow much foot every four weeks is probably too often says Bras.
Every horse is an individual and the hoof care schedule must be adjusted to fit each horse. The time between trimming or shoeing should be short enough that your horses hooves havent started to distort in shape by flaring chipping or cracking before the next farrier visit.
Consult with your farrier to determine the best schedule stick with it and keep a close eye on your horses hooves in between visits. And if you need help for a hoof crack or other issue then dont hesitate to get advice or have the farrier out for an extra visit.