Posted by Sarah on May 02, 2003 at 12:55:01:
In Reply to: Getting rid of small cracks on a horse that can't be shod posted by Del on May 01, 2003 at 18:32:04:
: I've had my horse for 16 years and I've never had shoes on him (even when we used to event) because his hooves have always been very healthy, they grow very fast and are huge for his body size. Now one of his front hooves has a fine crack that goes almost half way up the hoof. My farrier and I have been discussing shoeing him but he lives in a pasture with another unshod horse and they play very rough.
: He gets a high quality hay and grain with enough protein and is trimmed every 6-8 weeks. The crack started this winter (which has been much drier than usual and since my pasture is mostly clay its been hard as cement). We've gotten the crack almost completely trimmed out several times and then I'll catch my two fools tearing around the pasture and sure enough that tiny fine crack will be further up the hoof.
: After reading though the posts here I see that many of you recommend Keratex. I was hoping to get any other suggestions. If I have to shoe him I will, but I worry about the safety of my other horse.
: Thanks a lot
Since the crack is in the front foot, I wouldn't worry at all about putting shoes just on the front (if you elect to shoe) in a herd situation. A shod back hoof is much more likely to cause damage to his pasture buddy than a shod front hoof.
-- Just an owner.