Posted by Phil on November 06, 2003 at 21:40:27:
In Reply to: horizontal crack in hoof 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?
Your horse had an abcess and it worked its way out the correnet this will creat a crack in the new hoof growth. The crack will grow out with the hoof and everything should be fine. The abcess was probably caused by bruising the sole on rocks. If his feet are sensistive and the soles are thin, this might happen again. You may want to consider shoeing him if he isnt already to protect his feet.
Phil