Page 230 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

resulting in pain and lameness. Blood or black pus may seep from the crack especially after

exercise. The lameness may be gradual or sudden in onset. Heel and quarter cracks are the
VetBooks.ir most likely to cause lameness as the wall is thinner in this region of the hoof. Quarter cracks
in particular are associated with acute and severe lameness.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made on the appearance of the crack and the response to hoof testers applied

over or close to it. Local nerve blocks may help to rule out other causes of lameness if there
is any uncertainty about the origin of the pain.

Treatment

Once cracks have formed, they do not ‘heal’ as the outer hoof wall consists of non-living
material. The aim of treatment is to prevent them becoming infected or more extensive, so

they grow out with time. Depending on the use of the horse, the exercise programme may
have to be modified to prevent excessive strain on the hoof wall.

SUPERFICIAL CRACKS

Restoration of hoof balance, regular trimming and appropriate shoeing is usually sufficient to
prevent these from developing into a more serious problem. A full bar shoe with clips on
either side of the crack that minimizes any movement of the hoof wall and stabilizes the foot

is sometimes used.

The farrier may use a burr to create a horizontal line at the upper limit of a grass crack to
discourage it extending upwards to the coronary band. This should go through the hoof wall
to the depth of the white line. Application of a hoof disinfectant will help prevent bacterial

and fungal infection of the exposed horn within the cracks.

DEEP, INFECTED CRACKS
All of the dead and infected material must be removed before any attempt is made to repair

the defect. The farrier or vet may use a motorized tool to widen the crack and expose
infection that is hidden underneath the horn. The infection is treated by thorough cleaning

and applications of hoof antiseptics such as iodine for at least 48 hours. Poulticing may be
necessary for a couple of days and painkillers are sometimes used in the early stages of

treatment. All horses with deep hoof wall cracks should be protected against tetanus. Once
the infection has resolved and the hoof is dry, there are a number of ways in which the defect

can be closed.