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Hoof cracking is a common problem due to environmental conditions, including “stable management, weather and ground conditions” (Moyer, 2003). Nutrition is also a factor, causing weakened hoof walls. Most are not severe, but if untreated they can worsen or become infected. Cracks can occur anywhere on the hoof with most occurring vertically; “occurring less commonly are those cracks oriented perpendicular “to the ground (Moyer, 2003). Many causes for hoof cracking have been seen, including “coronet injuries, inappropriate farrier practices, poor-quality hoof walls (as a result of genetics, nutrition, or environment), white line disease, and hoof capsule distortion” (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). The described distortion can include base-wide and base-narrow conformational flaws, distributing the weight more medially or more laterally on the hoof. “The resulting hoof distortion negatively affects the mechanical behavior of the hoof wall, causing the medial heel quarter to bend axially at the ground surface and bow outward at the coronet during loading, predisposing to a full-thickness wall crack in the medial quarter region that originates at the coronet and extends distally some distance (a quarter crack)” (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012).
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(Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012)
A horse with clubbed feet may also be more prone to a full-thickness crack, a type of crack that originates at the coronet band and fractures distally (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). This conformational fault will likely cause a toe crack (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). Full-thickness cracks can occur for both toe and quarter cracks, the description of toe and quarter are simply used to mark the location of the crack. Because the front feet carrier 60% of the total body weight, cracks are more common in the front feet.
These cracks must be treated and sealed to “prevent their continued propagation as a line of weakness in the hoof” (Pardoe and Wilson, 1999). Stabilizing the hoof wall and taking the cracked section of the hoof out of direct weight loading can help prevent the crack from growing. This can be done with corrective shoeing and it is “important that the hoof is protected from localised or uneven loading” (Pardoe and Wilson, 1999). Some treatments, although sounding good on paper, can cause more serious problems than the crack, including creating an infection or worsening the infection present in the crack. These practices include penetrating the hoof wall with a drill bit, placing and adhesive over an infection or improper shoeing during and after the repair (Moyer, 2003). “Horizontal cracks seldom require repair unless they are extensive and expose sensitive tissues” (Moyer, 2003).
These cracks must be treated and sealed to “prevent their continued propagation as a line of weakness in the hoof” (Pardoe and Wilson, 1999). Stabilizing the hoof wall and taking the cracked section of the hoof out of direct weight loading can help prevent the crack from growing. This can be done with corrective shoeing and it is “important that the hoof is protected from localised or uneven loading” (Pardoe and Wilson, 1999). Some treatments, although sounding good on paper, can cause more serious problems than the crack, including creating an infection or worsening the infection present in the crack. These practices include penetrating the hoof wall with a drill bit, placing and adhesive over an infection or improper shoeing during and after the repair (Moyer, 2003). “Horizontal cracks seldom require repair unless they are extensive and expose sensitive tissues” (Moyer, 2003).
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For quarter cracks, rim pads or “double trimming” techniques can be applied to the affected hoof (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). More modern treatments like acrylic adhesive “can perform to the level of traditional, more invasive and time-consuming techniques” (Pardoe and Wilson, 1999). Plating the crack is also a valid treatment, using a polymethylmethacrylate adhesive and polymeric fabric (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). The adhesive must not enter the crack and the area must be sanded in order for better adhesion. “Inserting an implant comprising stainless steel wires first and then reinforcing the wires with a patch consisting of a mix of fiberglass strands and polymethylmethacrylate adhesive” is also a possible solution (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). Quarter cracks can be difficult to treat due to the uneven wear pattern and “ideally, horses with full-thickness quarter cracks should be taken out of work” (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012). For toe cracks, proper trimming and shoeing is required, as expected. The crack can then be stabilized using the same adhesive as described for quarter cracks, or metal plate can be screwed into the hoof, creating a bridge over the crack (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012).
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Prevention of hoof cracks is best managed through proper nutrition, paying close attention to a horse’s biotin source, or through environmental management, such as a clean dry stall to prevent weakening of the hoof wall. Managing conformational faults, especially severe ones, is also required to prevent the formation of either quarter or toe cracks. “It is critical that uneven growth imbalances are not ignored for successful long-term management (Pleasant, O’Grady, and McKinlay, 2012)