Crack/slit in heel

[Patches]

Patches has what I can only describe as a slit in the back of her heel. It's above the shoe line and goes from the frog to almost the outside edge of her hoof. It's dry and clean, heels feel firm. No gunk etc and is well below the bulb of her heel.

She always wears over reach boots so I don't think it's an "injury". Her frogs do seem quite dry and hard though. Totally sound.

Noticed it yesterday after riding. I washed it thoroughly in case anything was in it and sprayed terramycin on it. Farrier is due tomorrow and she's up at vets on Friday.

What would you do? I tried to take a picture but needed another set of hands. When I first saw it, it looked like a lump of mud had dried and you could flick it off with hoof pick...if that makes sense...only it was all her foot.

 

[ru-fi-do]

If it looked like it was dirty or gungy i would poultice, but in your case it sounds as though she may have overreached bt not broken the skin, i'd keep an eye on it, ask your farrier what he thinks, i know i always pick my farriers brains! Sorry not much help, it's a bit hard to say when you can't see it. Hope everything goes ok!

 

[Patches]

I can't see how it can be an overreach. She wears really good quality neoprene over reach boots. They haven't been damaged. It's like a hairline crack in the wall...that type of appearance. I'll nip out with camera and see if I can get a good shot of it.