Something's Not Right
There are many signs that horse owners will see that indicates that something is going awry with their horses hooves. I think the problem and biggest frustration for owners farriers and vets is the confusion around what can and can't be fixed and what can't be fixed but can be managed. Here I will show some examples of the most common problems and explain whether they can be fixed or just managed. I am by no means the expert on everything and for each condition I will give you some resources you can turn to if you want to go into the subject further. Most people will search the internet for information that will help them with their horse, however you need to be careful who you are getting your information from. I have seen some crazy cures proposed for hoof related conditions. Many of them are by unqualified people who tried something with their horse and it improved but the reality is that it probably improved in spite of what they did not because of it. I can't stress strongly enough that if you have any concerns with your horses hooves your first call should always be your Vet. They are the experts in equine anatomy and physiology and they will work with your Farrier to come up with a solution to any problem you may have with your horses hooves. If you have any questions feel free to email me. If I don't know the answer I'm sure I can refer you to someone who probably will. So, here goes.
There are many signs that horse owners will see that indicates that something is going awry with their horses hooves. I think the problem and biggest frustration for owners farriers and vets is the confusion around what can and can't be fixed and what can't be fixed but can be managed. Here I will show some examples of the most common problems and explain whether they can be fixed or just managed. I am by no means the expert on everything and for each condition I will give you some resources you can turn to if you want to go into the subject further. Most people will search the internet for information that will help them with their horse, however you need to be careful who you are getting your information from. I have seen some crazy cures proposed for hoof related conditions. Many of them are by unqualified people who tried something with their horse and it improved but the reality is that it probably improved in spite of what they did not because of it. I can't stress strongly enough that if you have any concerns with your horses hooves your first call should always be your Vet. They are the experts in equine anatomy and physiology and they will work with your Farrier to come up with a solution to any problem you may have with your horses hooves. If you have any questions feel free to email me. If I don't know the answer I'm sure I can refer you to someone who probably will. So, here goes.
Hoof Cracks: The main cracks you are likely to see are Sand Cracks and Grass Cracks. The easiest way to tell which type of crack your horse has is to think of Grass cracks as starting at the grass level. Sand cracks can appear anywhere on the surface of the hoof wall and may not extend all the way to the ground. Each case is unique and the approach may differ.
The application of a heart bar has stabilised the hoof capsule and shifted some of the loading onto the frog which has reduced the strain on the hoof wall and the crack is growing out with healthy hoof wall coming down from above it.
Laminitis: If you suspect your horse is having an attack of Laminitis you should ring your vet immediately, it is a medical emergency and your best chance of a positive result is veterinary intervention as early as possible. Signs can include a horse that is reluctant to move or a stance that attempts to shift weight off the front hooves. It's a complex issue to address but early intervention is the key.
Abscesses: These can strike at any time. It only takes a small fissure into the hoof that bacteria can invade for an abscess can develop. The build up of pressure can make it quite painful for the horse but they usually resolve quickly. Abscesses may be under the sole or track up inside the hoof wall and exit at the coronary band anywhere from the toe right back to the heel or under the frog.
