Posted by Derin Foor on June 09, 2003 at 06:43:54:
In Reply to: horizontal cracking ,soft white flaking at top of hoofs posted by angela on June 08, 2003 at 21:26:15:
: I have recently purchased a yearling filly. She was not well cared for and now is. Her hoofs seem to be growing pretty fast they were trimmed just at four weeks ago and desperately need it again. I found on her right front hoof a 1 1/2-2 inch crack horizontal and about half way up the hoof. It looks like it is peeling and chipping from the inside out kind of like an exploding crack for lack of a better description. Also on her front two hoofs the white skin at the top of the hoof where the hairline is seems excessive, soft and peely she also has some pretty good size chips but I think that is due to the need for trimming. I was sick for a week and someone else was caring for her now I find this Please Help.
Angela,
I think what you are seeing with the horizontal crack is probably damage done by an abcess 4-6 months ago.....these cracks take about a year to grow out and generally don't create a problem
the white flaky material at the top of the hoof is the periople which is a protective coating over the coronary band and upper portion of the foot....it is normal for it to get flaky and peel especially under the wet conditions that we have seen this year
hope this helps
Derin