March 16, 2016
Identifying and Managing Quarter Cracks
A horse that is at risk of developing a Quarter Crack may have one of the following characteristics:
- Long toes
- Heels that lack angles
- Crooked coronary band or hairline
- Strikes one part of the foot repeatedly
- Feet are not flat on the ground
- Predisposed to condition because of genetic features such as carpus valgus or varus
Signs that a horse may have a Quarter Crack:
- Vertical crack from the ground-up at the widest part of the hoof wall
- A crack is bleeding at the hairline
- The horse appears lame
- Crooked coronary band or hairline
Managing Quarter Cracks to recovery:
- Identify the cause of the crack(s) with a hoof care professional
- Limit activity level (riding and exercise)
- Trim hooves so the feet are balanced and weight is distributed evenly to reduce stress on the crack
- Have a farrier or veterinarian clean and treat the crack to heal
- If appropriate, have a farrier apply adhesive to cover the crack
How farriers prevent Quarter Cracks:
- Trim the horse’s hooves consistently
- Apply pour-in pads to provide support
- Utilize pour-in pads to distribute a horse’s weight evenly across the entire hoof bottom