Large crack in hoof..

[lucinda]

Hi Guys

I need a bit of advice please.
I have just been out to see my hairy, lazy beasties and my old lady has a horizontal 2 inch crack in her hoof. No blood or anything. My farrier is due tomorrow but I am thinking should I call the vet today. She isn't obviously lame but she is favouring it a bit.
What to do..?

Luc x

[finefilly]

your farrier will be able to advise you. maybe happened because of the wet weather we have had and then suddenly it has been hot and dry. i use vaseline intensive hand cream on my horses hooves as they were cracked last year. cheap and very good and your hands get nice and soft too ;D

[Becca]

how far is it up from the ground/down from the coronet? horizontal? the only thing i can think is if it is near the coronet she has knocked herself and it is showing in the new growth?

If she isn't in obvious pain i would wait for the farrier (my vet wouldn't get there before tomorrow anyway!) then he may be able to point you in the right direction.

keep us informed though, i'm curious now, i've only seen the vertical ones

with any luck he will just turn around and say oh its only a .... do this this and this

[brigadier]

Yes - speak to your farrier about it, can you call him? Just as a precaution, give it a good clean with hibiscrub. As you dont know how it has occurred if it has been caused by something external you want to be sure that no infection has been intruduced. Depending on where she is kept etc and also the crack itself I would consider packing it- possibly even with animalinex. The reason behind me been so cautious is that once infection is in the hoof its hard to get out and massively painful for the horse so you just cant be too careful. A pic would be useful.
Brig

[lucinda]

Thanks guys..
My farrier is due tomorrow so hopefully he will be able to sort out the problem. In the meantime I will pack it with lint, just to be on the safe side.
I have never had horizontal crackes before. Its about half way down the hoof.
Thanks
Lucx

[joandlad]

Umm, you don't tend to get horizontal cracks. The structre of the walls means they tend to be strong horizontally (unless there are major underlying problems). The only times I really see them are when they are abscess exit holes. Abscesses will take the path of least resistance and they usually exit through the heel or the coronary band. Once the hoof wall grows down a bit you will see a horizontal line where the exit was. If she's not in pain and you have the farrier coming tomorrow I'd wait to see what he says when he sees it.

[lucinda]

You might well have something there Jo.
About 6 months ago she was very lame and neither vet nor farrier could find out why. Since then she has been lame occasionaly, but not all the time.
From what you are saying it sounds like it could well be an exit for an abcess that has gone undiscovered.
It would explain a lot.
I will let you know what the farrier says.

Many thanks
Luc x

[abi]

isnt there a pulse and heat if theres an abcess?

horizontal hoof is very very strong, not sure how that could have happened, can we have pics?

to prevent vertical cracks, NAF Hoof moist is good and only £6 per tub, comes in black or natural, but remember to apply to the inside of the hoof before the outside, otehrwise its hard to pick up the hoof once its oiled! x

[joandlad]

There is usually a pulse and heat with an abscess, but only if you are actively looking for them! Sometimes they can cause such slight lameness that it isn't detected (especially with field kepts who only work occasionally) and manages to burst through without you even noticing. The first you know of it is when you see the horizontal crack as it grows out further down the foot.

[Becca]

What time is the farrier coming? let us know how it goes/went

[jack]

when jack had a absess he was very lame he would only lie down there was no heat that came out through the band and through the heel ( the vet said it was so deap seated) the vertical crack has only just been cut out by the farrier and that was last march last year

[brigadier]

Thats interesting what Jo has come up with and the previous undiagnosed lameness may have been down to an abscess. Do keep us informed!
brig

[joandlad]

Oh hang about! Diagnosis over the internet with just a short descirption to go on might not necessariy be correct. Would be good if it was though! ;D Very interested to hear what the farrier had to say.

[jack]

has the farrier been? what did he say? i hope all if fine

[lucinda]

Hi Chums

Sorry for the delay in replying. Things have been abit upsy-down lately.
Farrier seems to think the crack isn't deep enough to have been an exit point for an absess.
The rest hoof/foot is healthy , lameness has gone thankgod.
So its seems its just a case of waiting for the crack to "grow out".
Thanks to all for your advice.

Lucinda x