Updated with Pics post 6 Horizontal Hoof Cracks--should I worry

18thTomorrow · 11-14-2007, 05:02 PM

Today I noticed that Jezebelle has 3 horizontal crack-like lines in the wall of her left hind hoof. Is this something to be worried about?

They are right in the center/front of the hoof. The first and deepest one is about 1.5-2 inches up from the bottom. It is about 2 inches long. The second two are about 1/4" apart, close to the bottom of the hoof, adn they are shorter. The hoof is a little chipped at that point. I can get pictures if need be.

She also has chipping on the inside of her left front.

This is her first trim after shoes and it is about 3 weeks old. She usually goes about 6 weeks between trims. She has always been really good barefoot, I've never had a problem with her feet, no chipping like this or anything in the past, and always get comments on how big, beautiful, and healthy they are. But could the fact that she wore shoes during the show season have affected her feet in any way?

We put shoes on for the first time last March to get ready for the show season. In May we added pads and equithane packing in the front, kept it that way until August, in august we put normal shoes back on, then took them off last trim and she'll be barefoot for the winter. My farrier is excellent--I've had many complements on his handiwork, so I doubt he's the culprit.

Any thoughts or input/advice would be much appreciated.

me and morgan · 11-14-2007, 05:37 PM

I think you should post pics ...their gonna ask for them to get a answer that best suits the situation.....I have had hoof issues and came here as well ....got alot of good advice

wrightdanes · 11-14-2007, 08:11 PM

Horizontal cracks can be from a blow to the hoof wall or maybe an abcess, but if she hasn't been lame... Well I highly doubt that there is anyone else to blame except the farrier... Yes - lets see some pictures!

RickB. · 11-14-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightdanes

Horizontal cracks can be from a blow to the hoof wall or maybe an abcess, but if she hasn't been lame... Well I highly doubt that there is anyone else to blame except the farrier... Yes - lets see some pictures!

Blame the farrier for what

Right up to where you said that, I was in agreemnt with you.

JBandRio · 11-15-2007, 05:20 AM

Agree - what makes you want to blame the farrier for this?

Not all abcesses cause a horse to be lame. If these horizontal cracks are 2" from the ground, and lower, then they have been there for several months, growing down. The biggest one might have gotten bigger recently as it has gotten closer to the ground, given the additional tweaking on the wall the further it grows out. It's not uncommon for someone to "suddenly" notice a horizontal crack somewhere 1/2" to 1" down and realize it's from a burst abcess they never knew was there.

18thTomorrow · 11-16-2007, 02:47 PM

Here are pics--again, this is the left hind.

let me know if these are OK pics. Again, the cracks only appeared about 3 days ago (or that's when I first noticed them). She's never taken a lame step on this foot since I owned her.

11-14-2007, 05:02 PM	#1
18thTomorrow Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 2,107 Images: 12	Updated with Pics post 6 Horizontal Hoof Cracks--should I worry Today I noticed that Jezebelle has 3 horizontal crack-like lines in the wall of her left hind hoof. Is this something to be worried about? They are right in the center/front of the hoof. The first and deepest one is about 1.5-2 inches up from the bottom. It is about 2 inches long. The second two are about 1/4" apart, close to the bottom of the hoof, adn they are shorter. The hoof is a little chipped at that point. I can get pictures if need be. She also has chipping on the inside of her left front. This is her first trim after shoes and it is about 3 weeks old. She usually goes about 6 weeks between trims. She has always been really good barefoot, I've never had a problem with her feet, no chipping like this or anything in the past, and always get comments on how big, beautiful, and healthy they are. But could the fact that she wore shoes during the show season have affected her feet in any way? We put shoes on for the first time last March to get ready for the show season. In May we added pads and equithane packing in the front, kept it that way until August, in august we put normal shoes back on, then took them off last trim and she'll be barefoot for the winter. My farrier is excellent--I've had many complements on his handiwork, so I doubt he's the culprit. Any thoughts or input/advice would be much appreciated. __________________ Serenity Arabians at Hunterfield Farm home to the fabulous Chanting Jezebelle, her lil buddy Mr. Maximillian, and the lovely Foreverastarr XLA Last edited by 18thTomorrow; 11-16-2007 at 02:48 PM.

11-14-2007, 05:37 PM	#2
me and morgan Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bouse,Az. (in the middle of no where) Posts: 1,436 Images: 278	I think you should post pics ...their gonna ask for them to get a answer that best suits the situation.....I have had hoof issues and came here as well ....got alot of good advice __________________ Morning Star ,my light,my life, my friend forever. I will miss you ! I see it, I want it,I whine about it I get it,,, Im not spoiled .Im well taken care of.. Barney has changed my life,because I changed his...**

11-15-2007, 05:20 AM	#5
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,470 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 12	Agree - what makes you want to blame the farrier for this? Not all abcesses cause a horse to be lame. If these horizontal cracks are 2" from the ground, and lower, then they have been there for several months, growing down. The biggest one might have gotten bigger recently as it has gotten closer to the ground, given the additional tweaking on the wall the further it grows out. It's not uncommon for someone to "suddenly" notice a horizontal crack somewhere 1/2" to 1" down and realize it's from a burst abcess they never knew was there. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

11-16-2007, 02:47 PM	#6
18thTomorrow Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 2,107 Images: 12	Here are pics--again, this is the left hind. let me know if these are OK pics. Again, the cracks only appeared about 3 days ago (or that's when I first noticed them). She's never taken a lame step on this foot since I owned her. __________________ Serenity Arabians at Hunterfield Farm home to the fabulous Chanting Jezebelle, her lil buddy Mr. Maximillian, and the lovely Foreverastarr XLA

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11-14-2007, 08:11 PM	#3
wrightdanes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 921 Images: 1	Horizontal cracks can be from a blow to the hoof wall or maybe an abcess, but if she hasn't been lame... Well I highly doubt that there is anyone else to blame except the farrier... Yes - lets see some pictures!

*Updated with Pics post 6* Horizontal Hoof Cracks--should I worry

Updated with Pics post 6 Horizontal Hoof Cracks--should I worry