Page 232 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 6.28 Hoof repair with acrylic material
Once the crack has been stabilized, the horse’s exercise should be restricted for at least 3
weeks to minimize movement of the hoof wall whilst new horn grows from the coronary
band.
SUBSEQUENT TRIMMING AND SHOEING
Horses with severe cracks are shod with heart or egg bar shoes to give maximum support and
stability to the hoof wall. If the crack is at the toe, squaring the toe of the shoe brings the
point of breakover back from the dorsal hoof wall and reduces the stress on this part of the
hoof wall. Severe quarter cracks are sometimes treated by removing the lower part of the
hoof wall behind the crack and applying a heart bar shoe to provide support while the new
hoof wall grows down. The crack should be closely monitored during subsequent shoeings.
Painkillers are used for the minimum period as the absence of pain and lameness is one
method of assessing the continued success of the treatment.
Prognosis
The prognosis is generally good.
