Cracked hoof help please

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saddlesore

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My youngster 2 1/2 is unshod and has typical cob feet. Tough as old boots but quite wide and a little splayed. A toe abcess has caused a crack up the front of his front right hoof to about 1/3 of the way up. I've been disinfecting it and he's in at night to let it dry etc. farrier saw him on Thursday but tends to just paddock trim. Does he need trimmed with more of a roll to allow the crack to grow out? Don't want to put shoes on but obviously need to contain the outward growth!
 
Have a look at the red horse products, they do a product called artimud which helps fill in cracks, it's really easy to use and helps prevent infection. Also I wouldn't want his feet to be splayed either as this would mean he has a 'flare' on his feet, i believe this is dietary and also caused by overgrown feet. I would not be happy if my farrier was leaving my horses feet like this
 
Just ordered some thanks! In what way might it be diatery? He is fed Hi fi good doer, fast fibre, pink powder, seaweed and oil. Any thoughts? I'm not happy with the shape of his feet either tbh. Don't think farrier is a big fan of barefoot- he wanted to put shoes on him even though he is a field ornament still!
 
Your farrier wanted to shoe a 2 1/2 year old? If the horse has no problem, except for a little flair, I'd be getting a new Farrier. It is perfectly possible to grow out cracks without shoeing the horse. http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/hoof-cracks-update.html

RE diet you need molasses free feed (aim for low sugar and high fibre), I don't know if the Hi Fi good doer has molasses in. Seaweed has fallen out of favour and supplements like Pro hoof, pro balance and forage plus are preferred.
 
If the abscess was dead centre of the toe, this is often a sign of laminitis. It seems to be where the laminae die first. I hope this does not scared you but I would advise you to watch his pulses like a hawk as the spring grass comes through.
 
I never would shoe for seedy toe per say, I would always want to find out what was causing it.
There are two factors going on here.
1) separation on the laminae
2) possible (bacterial) infection of said area.
The bacteria that have invaded the white line will be anaerobic, so exposure to air will kill them, thus I am not in favour of packing or covering in anyway as this will often just encourage further infection.
My approach is to clear the infected area, expose it to the air, relieve the area of any pressure by enlarging the mustang roll, finally you need to examine on a regular basis to avoid any further separation
 
Shoes are the last thing you need for seedy toe. I'd also be swapping your farrier for one who can trim his hooves without encouraging flare.
 
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My pony has just got rid of his seedy toe; It does take time to grow out ( about 4 months for us ) he's barefoot;

I used Red Horse hoof stuff to pack it in, pick it out every week and replace.

Agree with the others, change your farrier!
 
Thanks guys, feeling this way myself. However that's the only farrier that comes to our yard and. and can't see another going out their way for a trim :-( I text farrier and said is phone him next week to discuss options but don't want shoes. I have a rasp, is it worth putting a slight mustang roll on the toe?
 
Whereabouts are you? Might be able to find a trimmer in your area


Unless you have a fair idea what you;re doing I wouldnt, its too easy to get rasp happy and end up weakening the hoof wall
 
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