Posted by Lory on April 29, 2003 at 13:18:44:
My coming 3 year old RMH gelding has a vertical crack that is wide enough to slide fingernail in to, and about an inch and a half long in his near rear hoof. The crack does not seem to extend to the ground, or into the coronary band, and does not seem to bother him at all.
He gets about 2 pounds of Legends 10% pellets split up over 2 feedings and free choice timothy hay. He is on the supplements Bio-Flax from Horse-tech, Source, Ration Plus, and Gluquestrian for joint support. He also has free choice salt and mineral blocks. He is turned out from 12-24 hours a day depending on the weather and used lightly. He is barefoot and had his last trim about eight weeks ago. I use Hawthorne Sole pak liquid fairly regularly. Until just recently, his pasture was soggy day after day.
I get a lot of wise cracks at the barn that I am over over-supplementing him. He is my first horse, and I want him to grow up right. I am puzzled that with the extra care that his foot is cracking.
What do you think the cause could be, and how can I avoid worsening the condition? Can I ride him with this crack, as long as he appears pain free and it doesn't show signs of worsening?