Cracking Hoof Wall

[jibi533l]

I am posting this for a friend.

The horse is 17-year Belgium WB, and his left hind hoof wall has been going on like this for more than a year now. The hoof wall keeps cracking and chipping away, and the farrier tried to fill the cavity with some kind of adhesive material (epoxy), but that didn't help and the hoof wall is still not growing well.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/liujs_m/album?.dir=bbbascd&.src=ph

He is on hoof supplement, and just wondering if the glue on shoe might better to help with the situation?

Miriam

[Rick Burten]

Looks to me like you have several problems. There is a negative plane coffin bone to deal with. The heels are both long and underrun. The foot looks to, overall, too long. The M/L balance appears to be out of whack. I think the frog needs additional mechanical support. Because the heels are running under, the quarters are under heavy linear stress and are flaring/morphing and the wall is failing. There may or may not be some infection such as WLD occuring. The right hind , what little I was able to see of it, seems to be in a bit better shape. The right front, what little I could see of it, is in need of attention for balance and flare abatement.

Rick

[calshoer]

Aside from what Rick said, what kind of environment does this horse live in? and if indoor at least part of the time, what kind of bedding?
Patty

[jibi533l]

Thank you both for your feedback. Indeed, cracking hoof wall is just one of the problems, and my farrier told me that the underrun heel and slow growing hoof are the major problems.

Although my horse is a senior horse, I still try to help him. Any particular shoes or any trimming advise you would recommend?

The bedding is "wood saw dust". By the way, the left hind leg has been diagnosed with "degenerative arthritis"

Thank you.

[caballus]

I agree with Rick and Patty and would also add to ask, what is the diet of this horse? Looks like it might need some adjustments given the condition of the horn.

--Gwen