quarter crack issue

[horseniac]

Client's 17.2 hand Dutch warmblood, who is barefoot, looks like he got into some rough footing such as an old rock wall, and his (almost healed) quarter crack on medial r.h. blew open. Crack only goes up less than 1/3 up the hoof, and is still about 2/3 away from the cornary band, but wondering what ideas you all might have for helping this horse. There was some bleeding, and horse is slightly off at a trot. I relieved stress by nipping out the quarter, and slightly v'd crack, but wondering how long to expect horse to be sound?

Been working for about 1 year to stabilize the hoof, and they were looking really good, but then he got himself in trouble. I'm thinking this horse may need shoes behind to avoid these issues. Horse has been going really well barefoot doing dressage, so really didn't want to change anything, but now seems like we took a couple of steps backwards. What are some of your thoughts? Horse is prone to quarter cracks on both medial hind feet due to his conformation. He stands slightly towed out behind.

Thanks

[THamilton]

Pictures would sure be appreciated for us to be of extra benefit to you.

Thanks,
Tony

[fairweatherforge]

imo quarter cracks don't have much to do with toe in or toe out. They happen in the heel quarters, which would have to do with base wide base narrow. Medial quarter crack, I'm guessing base wide. Does he have a high heel? Must be one hell of a crack to be bleeding when it only goes 1/3 of the way up the foot. I gues if your not gonna use shoes the only way to go is to dremmel it and patch it. And if you do that, your gonna have to do it in such a way that you can still treat the wound.

[horseniac]

Yeah.... base wide would be more accurate description, and yes; it was a nasty tear. His heals are not high or under run at all. Looks like he bashed it on a boulder, and tore a portion of his hoof just in front of quarter crack. Seperated the wall pretty good. Crack is deep, but not long. My main question is, how long can we expect horse to be sound again. I haven't seen too many accute quarter cracks like this one. Anyone out here have any guesstimations/experience time wise for a quartercrack to stop causing pain?

Horse is scheduled to be shod in the next few days. He is only off on r.h. on a counterclockwise circle.

Thanks for responding.

[fairweatherforge]

Going counter clockwise will keep putting pressure on the open wound. You could put a shoe on the foot, float the heel, and treat and wrap the wound. The horse would probably be sound in under a week. Or keep the shoe off and let the foot grow out for a few months.