Why Are My Horses Hooves Breaking?

One of the most common causes of cracked hooves is trauma. This may be due to poor farriery work which causes balance issues, conformation problems that put strain on the hoof wall or external trauma such as a blow to the hoof or repeated concussion from too much fast work on hard surfaces.

How do I stop my horses hooves from cracking?

Preventing hoof cracks
Overlong intervals between shoeing sessions are a big risk — and being unshod doubles the chances of a horse developing a foot abscess. Arrange regular shoeing — every six weeks, at least — or, in the case of the barefoot horse, organise a trim every four weeks.

Why are my horses hooves crumbling?

Extremely dry weather draws moisture out of the hoof, causing them to become brittle, crack, chip or crumble. Cold weather with snow and ice conditions are hard on hooves, causing cracks and chips; while wet climates over-saturate hooves, softening and weakening the hoof wall, and allowing thrush to thrive.

When should I be worried about a hoof crack?

Cracks that extend more than an inch up the hoof and never seem to grow out and go away can be sign of a chronically unbalanced hoof. Even if the crack is thin and stable, work with your farrier to identify the cause. You’ll also want to determine if a new approach to trimming and shoeing might be needed.

How can I strengthen my horses hooves?

Help Your Horse Grow Stronger Hooves

1. Keep your horse’s hooves as dry as possible. Moisture weakens hoof walls and provides an ideal environment for bacterial invasions.
2. Stand your horse on solid ground.
3. Make sure your horse gets enough exercise.
4. Apply hoof tougheners.

Is it normal for a horses hoof to crack?

Hoof cracks are a very common problem in horses and can occur in a variety of ways. The most common cause is a change in ground conditions, usually from very wet, muddy conditions to a dry environment.

Are cracked hooves bad for horses?

When a hoof crack becomes severe, it can not only be painful and impact a horse’s performance, but it can lead to an infection that could potentially be deadly. With that in mind, no matter how minor a hoof crack may appear, it is important to provide the proper care and treatment for the crack.

What does hoof rot look like on a horse?

Commonly, an affected horse will have white or gray matter that is moist and spongy appearing in the sulci region (grooves on either side and in the center of the frog) of the hoof. This characteristic growth’s appearance has been described as similar to wet cauliflower with cottage cheese like exudates.

What are the symptoms of hoof rot?

Symptoms of foot rot

• Extreme pain, leading to the sudden onset of lameness.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Bilateral swelling of the interdigital tissues, around the hairline and coronary band of the hoof.
• Necrotic lesions in the interdigital space, with a foul odor.
• Decreased feed intake.

What does an unhealthy horse hoof look like?

Chipping and cracking are not normal for a healthy hoof. The development of chips and cracks along the hoof wall are signs of weakened hoof integrity. This can also be a sign that your horse’s hooves are too dry.

How do you fix brittle hooves?

Treatment of Brittle Hooves in Horses

1. Dietary Changes. Your equine veterinarian may recommend dietary supplements or dietary adjustments to help your horse heal.
2. Trimming. Trimming the hooves followed by shoeing will help ease any discomfort and promote healing.
3. Exercise.

How often should a horse get its feet done if they are cracking?

Generally, it’s recommended to have your horse’s hooves trimmed every 4-6 weeks. However, this interval can be lengthened or shortened. Before you can determine the right frequency for your horse, in consultation with your farrier or barefoot trimmer, you should assess their diet, exercise regime and hoof quality.

How do you know if a crack is serious?

The cracks are wide
A crack is more serious when it’s between five and 15 millimeters wide (0.5 to 1.5 centimeters, or up to half an inch) as the cause could be more serious than simply dried out plaster or a house that is settling.

What to feed horses to improve hooves?

Some horses, despite a fine-tuned diet, require nutritional help with hoof growth. In these instances, biotin supplementation is warranted. Hooves respond to other nutrients as well, so a well-formulated hoof supplement should contain zinc, iodine, and methionine, in addition to biotin.

What does apple cider vinegar do for horses hooves?

Hoof and Fungus Issues: Thrush and other foot fungus infections can be greatly reduced by a regular spray or soak application of apple cider vinegar to the sole and frog of a horse’s feet. By making the hoof area more acidic, fungus is no longer able to grow well there.

What does Epsom salt do for horses hooves?

Epsom salt is a staple in every horseman’s tack room. Principally used in poultices and hoof packings, Epsom salt draws water out of the body, making it excellent for reducing swelling and removing toxins. If applied as a paste, it generates soothing heat.

What are 3 potential problems horses may face with their hooves?

Horse’s hooves are susceptible to a variety of kinds of cracks including grass cracks, sand cracks, and horizontal cracks also known as “blow-outs.” A crack is a separation or break in the hoof wall and are identified according to their location as toe, quarter or heel cracks.

Do horses feel pain in their hooves?

Like human nails, horse hooves themselves do not contain any pain receptors, so nailing a shoe into a hoof does not hurt. However, what can hurt is an improperly mounted horse shoe. When a horseshoe is mounted incorrectly, it can rub the soft tissue of the sole and the frog, causing pain and leaving your horse lame.

What does laminitis hoof look like?

Signs of chronic laminitis may include the following: Rings in hoof wall that become wider as they are followed from toe to heel. Bruised soles or “stone bruises.” Widened white line, commonly called “seedy toe,” with occurrence of seromas (blood pockets) and/or abscesses.

Will foot rot heal on its own?

If caught early, treatment of foot rot is usually successful. Clean the area to be certain lameness is actually due to foot rot, and use a topical treatment on the affected area. Kirkpatrick and Lalman write, “Most cases require the use of systemic antimicrobial therapy.

How do I know if my horse has fungal infection?

Crusted skin, with or without scabs. Hair loss in the shape of a ring on and around the lesion. Hives or other rash on or near the area of infection. Flaking skin, especially after a few days.