Posted by Patty Stiller on June 19, 2003 at 23:07:04:
In Reply to: Is my farrier doing the right thing? posted by deb in NC on June 16, 2003 at 16:08:44:
: My 10 yr old Appy gelding has a very slight vertical crack on a front hoof. Two weeks ago he had an abcess that came out at the coronet band and caused a horizontal opening about 1/2" wide that runs into the vertical crack. At no time has my horse shown any sign of lameness. My concern is that the vertical crack appears to be getting worse (wider)at the top of the hoof. The horse has front shoes. My farrier is coming out in a few days and he said something about rasping the opening to get air in the hole (it opens, closes, opens). I am just so worried about his hoof already being weakened and this would seem to make it worse. How worried should I be? Is this a good/bad thing to do?
: Also, should I quit riding him until it is completely healed?
: Would appreciate any input, deb
: I have no current pictures, but pictures taken 5/30/03 can be seen at:
: http://community.webshots.com/album/74963496YidbMU
I looked at the pictures. The horizntal crack is typical of an abscess that emerged atthe coronary band is should not be any problem. It appears the vertical crack has ben there while, given the attempts at stopping it through rasping(which never works as you can see). If the vertical crack has now gotten wider and deeper int othe wall than in the picture,and is moving, it needs to be addressed.
MY first concern is with hoof imbalance that may be causing that crack in th first place. The foot has a 'dished' appearance on one side, indicating possible medial lateral imbalance. Also, the shoe is fitted to the outer edge of the toe, which is potentially placing the breakover point too far forward and stressing the hoofwall at the toe. I cant tell, but the heels also appear tall, which will drive the toe forward as it grows. I think a reassesment of hoof balance and shoeing techniques may help solve the problems. Patty