PICTURES : Can you nice people look at this hoof crack please

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MDB

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Today I noticed a hairline crack extending almost the full length of my horse's front right hoof. She is barefoot. I have had her just a few months and her hooves were terrible when she arrived with loads of event lines. The last big event line seems to correspond to when I got her and the new growth is free of lines and is coming in at a new angle and looks much better.

However I would be interested to hear what people's thoughts are on this crack. Obviously I have no idea how deep it is but my gut tells me it is quite superficial. She isn't lame. I have been riding her up until now. Thoughts??

Thanks :)

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That's just a superficial Sandcrack. Nothing to worry about unless it's bleeding after exercise or she's showing discomfort when placing weight on the foot. It should grow out in time - just try to avoid fast work on hard surfaces for now!
 
i missed replying before but whenever you post i always see a similarity to my PRE and again now with that hoof! god, she's had a hard time food wise hasn't she?! and the old shape of it , just like mine was , i can see it's growing down nicely now and no i wouldn't worry either, i would keep an eye on dryness and give them a regular oiling and maybe a hoof supplement tho i imagine they will grow rapidly now springs here and that crack will grow out. mine had the most shocking hooves , they upset the vet and farrier and now he goes on anything and although they are a very odd shape they seem to work very well indeed!! xxxx
 
She looks to be about 1/2 way transitioned and coming along nicely. The crack is caused by the disparity between the top half of new tight growth and flared forward old growth on the bottom half. It is the flare on the bottom half that is dictating continued torque and pull forward and the crack. IF it is left to continue, the flare would pull the tight growth to mirror it, instead of the other way around. The torque at the toe is the greatest of all. A well placed bevel that is maintained will remove this torque and lift the bottom of that crack off the ground for some peace. When the horse pushes off, it will be ON that bevel which pushes the toe back where it belongs, with every step. Flare forward doesn't happen overnight and requires patience and the time you are giving the hoof. So, an active bevel will promote a tighter capsule, better breakover, better concerted hooves and take the torque off the new growth and that crack....as long as it is maintained, otherwise, the torque is right back on again with the pull forward going back to pulling the frog and heels forward as well. (Heels are long and also pulled forward, out from under descending weight) The bottom of the hoof being pulled forward is not the only thing thing that happens with flare forward, but the torque also travels up the front of the hoof wall, increasing as it does. This is hard on the extensor tendon and bangs hard into the knees. Possibly more farrier visits to keep that bevel maintained and working is what will keep you moving forward with no setbacks like cracks and keeping the old from pulling into the new in the meantime. The crack is superficial but its still a warning sign and maintaining that bevel is pure magic for this pathology. Hope this helps.
 
missyclare said:
It is the flare on the bottom half that is dictating continued torque and pull forward and the crack. IF it is left to continue, the flare would pull the tight growth to mirror it, instead of the other way around.
Click to expand...

Do you mean the crack will continue up the tighter growth? I thought it had been shown that pretty much wasn't the case?
 
ester said:
Do you mean the crack will continue up the tighter growth? I thought it had been shown that pretty much wasn't the case?
Click to expand...

It certainly isn't the case with my horse that any imbalance or lack of toe bevel causes a similar crack in one front hoof. He couldn't have any more of a toe bevel if I took a rasp to it , he creates a huge bevel for himself. His feet are balanced, he's as sound as a pound, he just has a superficial sandcrack, as do many sound and foot balanced horses.

I feel very uncomfortable when people who sound like pro trimmers write as if they are absolutely certain what is going on with and what needs to be done to a foot they've only seen in photos.
 
I am entitled to my opinion and thought that I had posted a kindly, helpful explanation. You can't argue with the descending weight of the horse and the disparity is causing torque at the ground. I have 20 years of pro trimming under my belt, including some life saving rehabs. If the crack does reach the coronary band and cause compromise, it will be a crack forever. If not, it will grow out.
 
missyclare said:
I am entitled to my opinion and thought that I had posted a kindly, helpful explanation. You can't argue with the descending weight of the horse and the disparity is causing torque at the ground. I have 20 years of pro trimming under my belt, including some life saving rehabs. If the crack does reach the coronary band and cause compromise, it will be a crack forever. If not, it will grow out.
Click to expand...


There are several of us on this thread alone who say that we have had and known horses with coronet to floor superficial sandcrack for years which has never made the horse lame. I've also seen terrible cracks which have destabilised the coronet band grow out. You seem to be telling us that can't be true, but it is. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, I just wish you used a few more mights and maybes in what you write, because in my (extensive) experience, nothing with horses is ever cast in stone.
 
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ester said:
missyclare said:
It is the flare on the bottom half that is dictating continued torque and pull forward and the crack. IF it is left to continue, the flare would pull the tight growth to mirror it, instead of the other way around.
Click to expand...
Do you mean the crack will continue up the tighter growth? I thought it had been shown that pretty much wasn't the case?
Click to expand...

I think its something people agree to disagree on (or argue about for hours). Nic Barker has stated on her blog http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.ie/2013/09/faqs-flares-and-froth.html:

"flared hoof wall doesn't "pull away" or damage healthy horn because its simply not strong enough to do that"

so its certainly not something that all hoof care professionals agree happens.
 
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