Barefoot hoof flare: follow-up w extra photos....

[Spyda]

Further to my post of yesterday (http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=589282) here are some extra photos of the same NS hind hoof. Do these help at all?

Sorry for the huge size of the last 3 photos. I've changed their size to the same dimensions as the first one (and checked on Photobucket - their size reduced to 250 x ..., but they're still huge on here??? )

 

[TwoStroke]

Ah, that's clearer

It looks like a deviation to me, so iiwy I'd leave it. BUT the flared wall is too long, which is prob why it's causing a crack. The height of the hoof wall should follow the sole plane all the way around, and if you look at the flared area, the hoof wall is longer at that point.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[cptrayes]

From these photos, I think the crack is being caused because of the length of the hoof wall. It is likely pushing too hard on the floor and causing the stress that has caused the crack.

The foot looks to be largely symmetrical from the sole view, in which case I would agree with your farrier that the flare is actually deviation, and required.

But your horse may be one of the ones which requires the quarters to be ground passive, hence the crack.

I would not be happy about the size of that crack if it were on one of mine. A surface line is one thing, but it looks much more than that.