Crack along Coronet band?

[itsmyparty]

Went down to see the boys last night and one has a crack about 5-6cms long along the coronet band of his left fore. There is no heat, no pus and he's not lame, which I think rules out an abcess trying to burst out there - or does it? I pressed it really quite hard and he didn't react. He's quite a tough old boot and puts up with a lot more than our big ginger TB. Is there anything else it could be?

 

[donquixote]

At my yard we have three horses that lived out all winter. all of them have developed a crack along the bottom of the coronary band on all four feet. On the worst one it almost looked as is the hoof was separating from the c band which was shocking to say the least. My farrier suggests that this is the result of a virus or something they ate - perhaps from the hedgerow during all the snow - and the vet agrees that it is likely systemic. Now the cracks are growing down the hooves and don't seem to be causing problems, but obviously keeping a close eye. The weirdest thing is that the farrier is finding lots of bruising within the hoof - literally you can see it all over the sole when he trims them. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

 

[amandap]

I believe this sort of crack is a sign of an abscess having burst at the coronary band.