Hoof Cracks
Article
Spontaneous Quarter Crack? Check for Sheared Heels
One researcher says that it is very rare to see a spontaneous quarter crack not associated with sheared heels.
Photo by Amy Rucker, DVM
Article
Dry Feet
October 01, 2012
My horse developed dry, cracked, and brittle hooves this spring. Why the change?... Read More
Article
Hoof Cracks and Lameness
April 01, 2012
Can a horse go lame because of extreme hoof cracks and not being trimmed regularly? ... Read More
Article
Spontaneous Quarter Crack? Check for Sheared Heels
March 19, 2012
One researcher says that it is very rare to see a spontaneous quarter crack not associated with sheared heels.... Read More
Article
2012 International Hoof Care Summit Set for Jan. 31-Feb. 3
December 31, 2011
The summit will offer 68 hours of hoof care education focused around the theme "Zeroing in on Soundness."... Read More
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How to Manage a Quarter Crack in Equine Hooves
March 17, 2011
Lameness caused by quarter cracks is a nemesis of horses and owners, and treatment is often complex. ... Read More
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Hoof Cracks, Wounds, and More Discussed at Farrier Session (AAEP 2010)
February 12, 2011
"No foot, no horse" is perhaps the most used and still the most true statement there is in horse care. A horse is generally worthless without functional feet, which is why the American Association of Equine Practitioners devoted a... Read More
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TheHorse.com Presents Ask the Vet LIVE Q&A: Common Hoof Problems
August 14, 2010
Thrush, underrun heels, hoof cracks, and laminitis, oh my! Today's horses can face many common hoof problems, whether the animals are pasture pets or high-level competition horses. Join us on Monday, Aug. 16, for a live chat event on hoof problems.... Read More
Article
Brushing Up on Thrush in Horses
August 01, 2010
Thrush is an anaerobic bacterial infection that slowly eats away at the horse's hoof tissue. ... Read More
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Hoof Wall Separations and Quarter Cracks
May 05, 2009
Many things can contribute to abscesses that cause your horse pain and undermine hoof integrity.... Read More
Article
Quality Road Quarter Crack Patched, Derby Decision Coming
April 27, 2009
Quality Road, a contender for the Kentucky Derby, returned from a mile and three-quarter gallop on the Belmont Park training track April 26 with a tinge of blood from a newly-patched quarter crack, but his connections remain optimistic he will... Read More
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Quarter Crack Takes Quality Road Out of Derby Contention
April 27, 2009
Quality Road, who figured to be among the top choices for Saturday's Kentucky Derby will not start in the Run for the Roses, it was confirmed Monday morning by Chris Baker, farm manager of Edward Evans' Spring Hill Farm. "There was some... Read More
Article
Big Brown Farrier Managing Quarter Crack in New Derby Contender
April 07, 2009
Farrier Ian McKinlay, who was in the news last year dealing with Big Brown's quarter crack prior to the Belmont Stakes, is back on the Triple Crown trail once again, treating a... Read More
Article
Owner Reflects on Big Brown's Injury, Career
October 14, 2008
One minute, Mike Iavarone was all smiles after watching Big Brown work a sharp six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 over the Aqueduct turf course in company with stablemate Kip Deville on Oct. 13, and the next he was <A... Read More
Article
Big Brown Continues Triple Crown Quest
June 05, 2008
Big Brown hit the Belmont Park track early June 5 with a morning jog around the sloppy and sealed main track about 5:45 EDT. With Michelle Nevin aboard, the colt traveled through the paddock, out of the tunnel, and onto the main track. Nevi... Read More
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Big Brown's Hoof Patch on Hold Until Friday
June 03, 2008
Big Brown's cracked left front hoof is improving with each passing day, so trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. is waiting until Friday to have a patch applied. Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay suggested putting the patch on Saturday, the morning of the Belmon... Read More
Article
Big Brown to Work Tuesday Without Hoof Patch
June 02, 2008
Trainer Rick Dutrow said Sunday afternoon that Big Brown will not be fitted with a patch on Monday as originally scheduled and will work on Tuesday without one. "I'm going to breeze him just the way he is and give him more time to let Ian... Read More
Article
Readers Respond: Challenging Feet
June 02, 2008
More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do you think Big Brown's hoof issues might be a factor in his bid for the Triple Crown?" <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5... Read More
Article
Big Brown Quarter Crack 'Not a Setback'
May 29, 2008
Anyone following Triple Crown races this year knows there's a lot of controversy about the soundness of Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Big Brown's feet. But despite a third hoof problem in his short career--a quarter crack that showed up in his... Read More
Article
Big Brown's Hoof Shows Improvement
May 27, 2008
Ian McKinlay, the farrier who has been treating Big Brown's quarter crack, said Monday morning the colt's left front foot has shown improvement and he and trainer Rick Dutrow remain confident the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will not be... Read More
Article
Big Brown Returns to Track
May 27, 2008
Big Brown was back on the track a day earlier than expected, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said he looks as good as ever--maybe even better. The Triple Crown hopeful went out for a 1 1/2-mile jog around Belmont Park on a rainy Tuesday morning... Read More
Article
Big Brown Has 'Slight' Quarter Crack
May 26, 2008
Big Brown, who will be seeking the coveted Triple Crown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has a "slight" quarter crack on the inside of his left front foot, trainer Rick Dutrow said Sunday, May 25. The colt did not go to the track Saturday o... Read More
Article
Big Brown's Feet Not So Bad, Farriers Say
May 16, 2008
(PHOTOS/VIDEO) Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown clearly owns some of the Thoroughbred industry's fastest feet. But many question their soundness, fueled by reports of layoffs, quarter cracks, and special shoes. His current farriers Tom Curl and Ian... Read More
Article
Derby Winner Big Brown in Good Shape the Day After
May 04, 2008
Speaking to reporters on the Churchill Downs backside the day after Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was cautiously optimistic regarding his starter's chances in the Preakness Stakes. "I really liked him in (the... Read More
Article
Correcting Shelly Feet
March 01, 2007
Shelly, crumbly feet can be a challenge for horses and their owners. The feet break down too readily if the horse is barefoot, and they are unable to hold nails if he's shod. In this article we'll look at several causes and potential treatments for... Read More
Article
Hoof Cracks: Causes and Repair
May 01, 2006
While many hoof cracks are minor, repairing one should be considered when the horse is lame, the crack is infected, or the damage is extensive enough that lameness is likely to result. Your horse's feet are some of the most important structures ... Read More
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Farm Call: Your Questions Answered
Dry Feet
Q. My horse, who is kept in a barn at night but out in a pasture during the day, had very dry, cracked, and brittle hooves this spring--it's hard to keep shoes on him. This never happened when he was kept in a barn at all times. Why the change?
Hoof Cracks and Lameness
Q. Can a horse go lame because of extreme hoof cracks and not being trimmed regularly? If so, is there was anything you can do to reverse hoof cracks?
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