06/14/2025
Let’s talk about CRACKS! ⚡️
This horse trimmed up pretty nicely despite those scary cracks, and most do! Many cracks of the hoof are not a great cause for concern. What they can indicate, however, could be an issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
A lot of cracks owners will send us or talk to us about that they’re concerned with start as seedy toe; this crack is usually central on the toe of the hoof, and may be only a few centimeters or inch in length. When being proactive, this can be reversed fairly easily with proper cleaning and packing the crack so bacteria and fungi cannot renter. 🦠
Sometimes this anaerobic bacteria progresses to the point where the white line is stretched and we get a larger infection where the capsule is being eaten away at. Resection may be considered at this point, but, with resection, the cleanliness becomes paramount as you’ve exposed more sensitive tissue to the environment.
Cracks can also be the result of overgrowth. In this case, it’s actually better that the hooves crack (and sometimes flare) as the alternative would be walking on stilts or flippers, creating tons of leverage on the hoof. Keeping trim frequency at 4-5 weeks is ideal for simulating wear and keeping up with pathologies. 🗓
Another culprit for cracks in the hooves can be traced to their diet as well. Improper nutrition creates a compromised hoof, and hoof wall, leaving it prone to infection and damage. Proper nutrition is key to creating the basis for healthy hooves!
While we can trim hooves and make them look much better than where we started, we put a huge emphasis on owner-centric, preventative care. Even something as simple as picking the feet out daily can make a huge difference in hoof health! 🧼
