Posted by Ken on November 06, 2003 at 19:45:14:
My gelding started limping on his front left hoof. I couldn't find any problem. The left hoof was no warmer than the right and I could find no indication of a puncture. He is 4 yrs old and was being kept in a pasture that is on the side of a mountain. I finally decided that he had sprained it. I put him in the stall and kept him quiet. After one week, a horizontal split showed in his hoof about 1/4 " below the coronet band. I noticed it at first because of some blood that I could see on the hoof. After this, he quit limping. I cleaned the opening twice a day and kept him up for an additional week to be sure there was no infection. He seems to be doing well now. I have never seen anything like this before. Could this have been a stone bruise? Do you feel that he damaged the coronet band and in your opinion, will it heal?