Cracks that extend more than an inch up the hoof and never seem to grow out and go away can be sign of a chronically unbalanced hoof. Studies in france by barrey have shown that horses with steeper angled hooves are more likely to remain sound. They often result from bad cases of thrush, but can also cause such cases. Quarter crack in horse hooves smartpak equine health library. However some cracks can become more serious and can result in a chronically unbalanced hoof and can even lead to lameness there are many reasons why a horses hooves can crack. When loaded, the hoof physiologically changes its shape. Hoof cracks, deep fissuring between the bulbs of the heel, and thrush frequently accompany the problem. These wounds can take months to heal unless they are managed correctly.
Hoof cracks can occur anywhere on the hoof wall and are caused by improper mechanics, environmental extremes or pathology concerns that lead to hoof deformities that result in failure. There are many premade hoof dressings on the the market and many more oldtimey recipes that people claim will heal hoof cracks, grow hoof fast and cure what ails your horses troubled soles. However, if theyve been there for a long time then there may be some. A quarter crack is a vertical split in the hoof wall at the widest part of the hoof, on the side between the toe and the heel. Just squeezing the heels by hand will demonstrate that. In addition to severe bruising of the heels, there may be a component of pain coming from irritation of the navicular bursa. Care of quarter cracks in horses kentucky equine research. Cracked heels is a condition that can develop in horses and ponies that spend their time in wet, dirty environments. The sbs crack repair kit ii was developed with the average horse owner in mind. The kit requires no special tools and cures in minutes to become a part of the hoof wall.
This patient of mine, a 5yearold thoroughbred recently off the track, has major hoof problems created by years of shoeing for speed. Quarter and sand cracks near the heel of the hooves may be an indication of poorly trimmed hooves. Sheared heels are a structural breakdown between the heel bulbs that causes deep cracks in the frog s central groove. The tissue between a horse s heel bulbs is soft and pliable, allowing the thrush bacterium to. While it can be caused by damage to the coronary band where the hoof and hair meet or damage to the hoof wall from infection or other hoof problem, a quarter crack is most often the result of abnormal hoof or limb.
At any rate, these horizontal hoof cracks rarely cause lameness in horses. Bleeding can occur in these deeper cracks and infection can set in, in any crack. Genetics also plays a role in the strength and thickness of a horse s hoof wallssome horses are simply more prone to cracks than others. The heel bulbs have been mostly chewed off by scavengers, but otherwise the hooves are in excellent shape. During dry weather, or with frequent changes from wet to dry, horses are prone to having dry, brittle feet that easily develop hoof cracks. The dry hoof fallacy this dry hoof theory is perpetuated by the plethora of hoof oils marketed to to heal split hooves. In part, this is a result of solar concavity, which has a variable depth, in the region of 11. We had allot of rain for a few days and my horse wound up. I had a horse with persistent heel crack issues, even once contraction issues were addressed persistent infection kept the crack from healing. Quarter crack in horses symptoms, causes, diagnosis. A hoof trimmed to the wild horse shape is different from what we are used to seeing all around us. Horse hoof care, avoid splits, cracks and thrush in hooves its really important to keep your horse or ponys hooves in top condition to avoid the common problems of thrush, splits and cracks which can cause lameness a horse s feet are best maintained by regular visits from a farrier, using hoof oil treatments and good nutrition. A quarter crack is a vertical break or fracture in the hoof of a horse between the heel and the widest part of the hoof.
Named for where they appear on the hoof wall, they include quarter cracks, heel cracks, bar cracks and toe cracks. Cracked heels are not actually cracks in the heel of the foot. Photo shows a chronic toe crack caused by long toe, low heel conformation, on a horse heavy on the forehand. Quarter cracks are a common cause of lameness and decreased athletic performance in horses. Here are photos from wild horses that lived and died on dry, rocky, mountainous terrain. Even shod front hooves should be round and nice and.
My horse has big cracks in the heel bulbs help where i live is usually very dry all the time. Hoof cracks usually mean theres some abnormal stress occurring, and ignoring little cracks can lead to bigger, moreworrisome cracks. Heel cracks are created by thrush and bacterial infection and are, in fact, an open wound leading directly into the inner tissue of the foot. Hoof cracks are not an uncommon occurrence for horses, and although most remain superficial and grow out without any trouble, some cracks may be more severe, and reach the sensitive tissues that the hoof is meant to protect.
Fly sprays will repel stable flies, and a number of management strategies can help keep insect populations under control. Your horse s hooves should not look like the one in the large photo at the right. Should the hoof not be trimmed to facilitate a flat, level footfall then even a prolonged trot down the road or a canter in a firm field can lead to a crack developing, usually between the middle of the hoof and the heel as the horse lands on the high side and loads excessively on the other. Quarter cracks extend from the hairline down and are generally the result of chronic imbalance under extreme loads in performance horses. Sheared heels are most likely caused by abnormal forces being placed on one side of the foot and are seen frequently in horses with abnormal limb or foot conformation on the affected foot or feet. Horses harassed by stable flies in the summer will stomp their feet repeatedly which can lead to hoof cracks if theyre on hard, dry ground. Most are caused by short shoeing, meaning the heel of the shoe does not cover the heel of the horse s foot. We had allot of rain for a few days and my horse wound up standing in allot of mud for about 12 hours. Anyone who follows horse racing and competitions will have heard of horses that have lost their competitive edge because of hoof problems. The equine hoof is a unique structure composed of bone, connective tissue, and an extensive vascular pattern. To read the full story about beartheequitation horse, go to people keep asking for a. Most cracks will heal themselves and present no real risk to the horse. The keratinized tissues of the hoof wall, sole, and frog protect the sensitive structures of the hoof and provide a barrier against invading microorganisms. This doesnt happen overnight and your current farrier should be talking with you about the problem.
Underrun heels are when the angle of the heel wall is less than that of the toe wall fig 1. Unfortunately, a horse doesnt have to be a race or performance horse to develop quarter cracks. Heel cracks a deep opening in the sulcus between the heel bulbs are the primary reason our horses suffer from recurring thrush. Hoof dressings can enhance the water repellency of hooves in some environments. It is an equine skin condition which occurs in the hollow of the pastern where the horse s skin is particularly delicate. A strong foot can withstand or overcome a lot of adverse factors, but a weaker foot may not be able to handle it, says steve norman, a farrier from georgetown, kentucky. Cracks in the front hooves may also be a sign of contracted heels. For horses that need a higher level of hoof related nutrients, kentucky equine research offers biobloom ps biobloom hf in australia to provide additional. Many horses with heel pain with land toefirst which cause inordinate amount of toe concussion. With just the application of a balanced trim, most times this type of cracked hoof can easily be grown out. Toe cracks when a horse overloads or puts excessive weight on the toe puts too much weight on it when he walks, cracks in the toe can form.
A field guide to hoof cracks the horse owners resource. Underrun heels in horses expert howto for english riders. If your horse tends to forge or interfere, using bell boots can help protect their hoof wall from knocks. This horse has a trimmed hoof which is flat on the ground. Pro equine grooms dealing with horizontal hoof cracks. Its also suspected that some horizontal hoof cracks are the result of an abscess that ruptures at the coronary band, and the crack grows out with the hoof. Most horse hoof cracks that start from the ground up, are as a result of an imbalanced hoof. Solutions for horses with problem heels expert advice on. There are different degrees of clubfootedness and some are not clubfooted but just horses with high heels.
Even if the crack is thin and stable, work with your farrier to identify the cause and determine if a new approach to trimming and shoeing might be needed. Horses with the long toe, low heel conformation require more frequent maintenance than horses with ideal hoof angles of 52 to 57 degrees average 55. Sheared heels in horses musculoskeletal system merck. If the horse is traveling over hard surfaces a lot, then back hooves may also crack. That heel crack is due to the back of the hoof being contracted.
The bulbs are squashed together forming a crack where thrush loves to grow, this is long and deep coming out of the frog. This type of condition is not uncommon, especially with horses that race or do a lot of heavy work. Hoof cracks need immediate attention expert advice on. For horses who have had contracted heels for years and the crevice is very deep have seen it extend above the heel bulbs, it can take a while to see a big change, but it should get less squishy fairly rapidly. Many horses will experience cracked hooves in their lifetime. Horse hoof care, avoid splits, cracks and thrush in hooves. Prolonged trimming intervals can cause elongated toes, and the hoof wall often develops cracks due to the unsupported hoof wall figure 2. As the heel grows under the hoof, the way the foot bears weight is affected, and as the coronary band where the hoof and hairline meet bends down into the hoof, the hoof wall will eventually crack to relive the pressure. Managing quarter cracks with proper trimming and pourin. Hoof cracks or stress fractures of the hoof capsule. My horse has big cracks in the heel bulbs help the. When to worry about a hoof crack the horse owners resource. These cracks can run deep and cause bleeding and become infected if not treated right away. I put these two different problems together because if you have a horse with a club foot, it may most likely have a low heeled underrun foot on the the other side.
Horses that are at risk for cracks, either because of heavy exercise or conformational issues, may benefit from a hoof supplement to ensure an adequate supply of these building blocks. This is one of the most prevalent deformities found in the feet of domestic horses, particularly thoroughbreds that have been through the racing industry which accounts for most of the pleasure horse industry. Hoof cracks can be as simple as something that merely irritates the observer from an aesthetic point of view to something so serious that the horse is dead lame and unable to perform. Horses with white legs seem to be more likely to suffer from cracked heels than those with dark legs.