Hoof cracks are among the most common hoof problems in horses and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent changes in the hoof’s shape. They always run lengthwise between the coronet band and the hoof wall. A hoof crack serves as an entry point for bacteria and fungi. In the warm, moist environment of the crack, these microorganisms multiply and further break down the hoof wall. If the corium is eventually exposed, purulent inflammation develops, which is accompanied by lameness.
Hoof cracks usually occur on only one hoof, and predominantly on the front legs. In heavy draft horses, they can occur on the hind hooves. Most hoof cracks develop in the center of the toe and in the area of the lateral hoof wall near the widest part of the hoof.
In addition to horn cracks that run continuously from the coronet band to the frog, there are cracks that occur exclusively at the coronet band or exclusively at the frog. However, the latter two tend to tear further and thus develop into a continuous horn crack.
Depending on which area of the hoof wall the horn crack affects, it is referred to as a fore wall, side wall, or heel wall crack. Horn cracks can also occur at the corner struts of the hoof wall, the corner struts themselves, the frog, and the sole. However, these are referred to as corner wall, corner strut, frog, or sole cracks, respectively.
Superficial horn cracks affect only the outermost, thin glaze layer of the hoof. This layer protects the underlying horn from drying out and the penetration of germs. Superficial horn cracks are also referred to as wind cracks.
Deep horn cracks extend into the tubular horn, i.e., one layer deeper. This is the middle, thickest, and most load-bearing layer of the hoof wall and consists of millions of parallel, downward-running horn tubes.
In the case of penetrating horn cracks, all layers of the horn—including the lamellar horn (the innermost layer connected to the corium)—are severed. This significantly weakens the stability of the hoof capsule. Horn cracks extending down to the corium usually lead to purulent corium inflammation caused by invading pathogens. Sometimes, abscesses form as a result.
A superficial horn fissure can develop into a deep or penetrating horn fissure due to further mechanical stress or the invasion of bacteria that break down the horn. A penetrating horn fissure, in turn, can develop into a horn column (see the corresponding article).
Most hoof cracks are caused by limb or hoof misalignments and errors in hoof care or shoeing, which lead to uneven weight distribution within the hoof. Excessive stress on individual sections of the hoof wall creates such high tension in the hoof capsule that the hoof can no longer withstand the tensile forces and stretching, causing it to tear. Excessively long shoeing periods or the loss of a stud can also lead to these abnormal load distributions.
Injury-related causes of horn cracks include being kicked by other horses, the horse accidentally striking its own front leg with the shoe of its hind leg, or scraping against the opposite hoof. If the coronary ligament is injured during a kick to the coronet, this can disrupt wall horn formation and thus lead to the development of a coronary band horn crack. A horn crack can also form as a result of other injuries, such as those caused by barbed wire.
The development of hoof cracks is facilitated by reduced hoof horn quality. This can be caused by metabolic disorders, as well as poor nutrition or genetic predisposition. While breeds such as the English Thoroughbred often have finer and less durable hoof horn, it is usually denser and more resilient in more robust breeds such as draft horses. Improper hoof care that dries out the horn also negatively affects horn quality.
Furthermore, how your horse is kept and used has a direct impact on its hooves. Damp and/or dirty stalls and paddocks, surfaces that are too hard, irregular exercise, and one-sided or excessive strain lead to uneven load distribution in the hoof.
Superficial and deep hoof cracks initially cause no symptoms other than the visible crack. Due to putrefactive bacteria, a greasy, putrid, grayish-white to blackish, foul-smelling mass may appear at the crack.
In cases of penetrating horn cracks, blood or pus may occasionally ooze from the crack. In most cases, the dermal inflammation leads to lameness in the supporting leg, which can be severe. When the horse is standing, weight is taken off the hoof. The area around the horn crack is warm and painful to the touch. The edges of the horn crack shift under weight: Front wall cracks narrow, while heel wall cracks widen and return to their original width once the hoof is relieved of weight. In the case of coronet band cracks, a phlegmon (a purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous connective tissue) may develop at the coronet band. If left untreated, the inflammatory swelling continues to spread upward.
If you suspect a hoof crack, you should immediately rest your horse to reduce the strain on the affected hoof. A prompt examination by your veterinarian is important to determine the depth and cause of the hoof crack and to initiate early, targeted treatment. If severe lameness, obvious pain, bleeding, pus, or instability of the hoof capsule occurs, your horse must receive immediate veterinary treatment.
Your horse’s hoof must be thoroughly cleaned before the veterinary examination so that even small hoof cracks are not overlooked. Your veterinarian will perform a clinical examination of the hoof, during which he or she will assess the location, depth, and extent of the hoof crack, as well as the mobility of the crack edges under weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. He or she can accurately determine the depth of the horn fissure by inserting a probe. By palpating the hoof with hoof pliers, your veterinarian will check whether your horse is experiencing pain and, if so, in which area of the hoof. Bleeding or pus in the fissure is a direct indication of involvement of the hoof corium.
In cases of lameness, your veterinarian will, as far as possible, perform a gait analysis at a walk and trot, as well as flexion tests. If the cause of the lameness remains unclear, he or she can determine the exact location of the pain through nerve block anesthesia of the lower limb.
Horn cracks cannot grow back together at the edges of the crack. Healing occurs as new, continuous hoof wall horn grows down from the coronet band. Treatment therefore aims to address the cause of the horn crack and allow for normal horn growth.
The most important measure is proper hoof care, which creates as even a weight-bearing distribution as possible within the hoof. Correction of the hoof shape is achieved over several shoeing intervals. A single adjustment is usually not sufficient. In addition, a customized orthopedic shoeing stabilizes the hoof. Horseshoes with a bar, plates, or inserts are used to distribute the load across the sole and the hoof wall.
To achieve continuous horn growth from the coronet down, the coronet area must be disturbed as little as possible. To relieve pressure, the bearing edge is shortened by two to three millimeters across the width of the horn cleft so that it does not rest on the horseshoe. This prevents it from experiencing ground pressure. The extent of this so-called “floating” area depends on the course of the horn cleft.
In cases of pronounced or deep horn clefts, the fissure is stabilized directly. Clamps, wires, or modern bonding techniques using synthetic adhesives and reinforcing fibers close the cleft and promote controlled healing. This ensures that the hoof’s load-bearing capacity is largely maintained during the healing phase.
If areas of the horn fissure are infected with bacteria, your veterinarian will remove the damaged horn material under local anesthesia and apply a protective bandage. In addition to anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics are used for bacterial infections and antifungals for fungal infections.
Penetrating hoof cracks must also be treated surgically by your veterinarian. To do this, the hoof is prepared with a warm poultice containing disinfectants. Under local anesthesia, the horn on either side of the crack is then thinly rasped or milled away, exposing the hoof corium. This is intended to prevent the corium from being mechanically irritated by the moving edges of the crack. In chronic cases with poor healing prospects, your veterinarian may completely excise the affected section of the hoof wall, as with the hoof column. For crown margin cracks that penetrate the hoof wall, a crescent-shaped piece of the hoof wall may be excised at the crown margin to ensure unimpeded regrowth of the horn. After surgical treatment, your veterinarian will apply a protective bandage, which is changed regularly. Increased horn formation may initially lead to thickening, which must be rasped down. If your horse does not have adequate or clear tetanus vaccination protection, a tetanus vaccination will also be administered (see the corresponding article).
If a hoof cleft is treated solely through hoof care and orthopedic shoeing, you may exercise your horse lightly. Controlled, steady exercise is beneficial for maintaining hoof function and blood circulation. However, uncontrolled, harsh, or one-sided strain must be strictly avoided. In the case of surgical treatment, the horse must remain in stall rest for the time being.
Your regular hoof care will support the entire course of treatment. Caring for the coronet band promotes the growth of healthy horn and the regeneration of the growth zone. An adequate supply of nutrients—including biotin, zinc, vitamin A, and specific amino acids—supports the formation of strong hoof horn. Good hoof horn quality increases resilience and accelerates the healing of the hoof cleft. Your veterinarian will be happy to advise you on which hoof care products and dietary supplements are appropriate for your horse.
The entire treatment may take a considerable amount of time. The hoof horn grows by about one centimetre per month. It therefore takes about a year for it to grow all the way down from the coronet band to the ground. Regular checkups by your veterinarian and farrier or hoof trimmer are essential for the treatment to be successful.
If the cause of the horn fissure can be eliminated, the prognosis is good with consistent treatment. In this context, supporting-edge horn fissures and superficial horn fissures are easier to treat successfully than coronal horn fissures and penetrating horn fissures accompanied by dermal inflammation. If a coronal phlegmon or horn column has already developed, the prognosis worsens. Penetrating fractures of the corner wall and corner struts also have a poorer prognosis.
Since hoof cracks are primarily caused by improper weight distribution on the hoof, regular, professional hoof care is the most effective preventive measure against hoof cracks. Have your horse’s hooves trimmed every four to eight weeks by a qualified farrier or hoof care specialist, depending on the individual hoof growth rate. Hooves that are too long create extreme leverage on the hoof horn.
Ammonia from urine attacks the hoof horn, making it easier for germs to penetrate even the tiniest cracks. Excessive moisture softens the hoof horn and makes it unstable. Therefore, ensure good stable and paddock hygiene. Hoof horn that is too dry also loses its elasticity and cracks more quickly. Therefore, moisten the hooves regularly during dry periods.
To promote healthy hoof horn growth, you should always care for the coronet band. A balanced diet supports this. Ensure an adequate intake of biotin, zinc, vitamin A, and specific amino acids. Consult your veterinarian for advice on hoof care products and dietary supplements.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. Please contact your veterinary practice directly.
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