Sand Cracks, Grass Cracks, Toe Cracks, Quarter Cracks plague
so many horses that there is an entire segment of the hoof care product
industry dedicated to producing products to treat them. A week does not go by
that we do not receive a call or email concerning hoof cracks.
Just this week I received a call from a horse owner that
wanted a second opinion on how the veterinarian suggested treating a persistent
toe crack. Apparently she and her trimmer have been battling sand cracks on
several of her horses for the better part of two years. In one case the crack
had become so bad that the veterinarian prescribed a hoof wall resection be
performed (treat instability with removal of that which is meant stabilize?).
The owner was ordering Clean Trax, a deep penetrating hoof wash that works exceptionally
well in the treatment of infections of the hoof wall. We received pictures and
a small history in which to make our assessment. The type of hoof wall defect
seen in this case was of no great mystery.
The Cause
The
truth of the matter is that the majority of hoof cracks seen are the result of
poor hoof wall matrix development.
Having a strong understanding of how the hoof wall develops
and the function of the hoof wall at any given location in the hoof capsule is
paramount to treating hoof cracks. Yes, metabolism and nutrition are important
to treating cracks, and for the most part owners of horses with persistent
cracks have done their best to address these components. Then why is it that
the cracks persist? I have already answered that; poor hoof wall matrix
development. Yes, hoof wall matrix is affected by nutrition and metabolism, but
the real culprit in persistent hoof cracks is the failure of the mechanism for
the creation of a strong wall matrix.
The hoof wall matrix originates at the junction of the
coronary band dermis and dermal lamellae. This area is identifiable by the manifestation
of the stratum externum (Periople). Roughly speaking it is the top ten percent
of the hoof capsule. It is in this area that the tubules produced at the
coronary band matrix with the horn developed by the lamellae. The periople aids
in slowing the keratinization process allowing for the migration of
intertubular horn around and in between the primary tubules. The mechanism that
makes this posible is “distortion”. Think of distortion as a kneading process creating
the necessary pressures for the development of a healthy matrix. Wall function
is determined by the ratio of primary tubules to that of intertubular horn
(laminae derived horn and within the matrix the higher the ratio of tubules, the
harder the wall (less resistant to flexion), the lower the ratio the more
flexible. So what has this got to do with hoof wall cracks?
In many of the cases we see involving sand, grass or
persistent toe cracks we have found that the fault has been that the mechanism
for the creation of a healthy matrix was simply weak or faulty.
Just this week we met our new neighbor, a new home has just
been completed adjacent to our property. The owner is a horse owner who has
several horses. She is an avid dressage rider. Naturally the conversation
turned to horses and their hooves. According to my new neighbor all of her
horses suffer from persistent sand cracks. The horses are stabled about 10 miles from this
new property and would be moving here shortly. The owner asked how we prevented
sand cracks. We have seven horses on our property here in SW Florida. The
environment is less than ideal for horses, being extremely wet most of the year
and the pasture is comprised mostly of sand (sugar sand). The environment is identical to the
environment our new neighbor has been stabled in for the past several years.
Why is it that we don’t have problems with persistent cracks, but she does?
The answer in my opinion is quite simple, “Imbalance”. When
a hoof is trimmed and it is not balanced, the mechanism for the development of
a healthy strong matrix is compromised. Couple that with the dubbing of the toe
(backing the toe up), cross hatching, or the application of a rigid horseshoe
and you have the recipe for failure. For over eighteen years I have been
treating sand, grass, and toe cracks successfully without applying shoes,
lacing, staples, or acrylics. There are times when there is instability and
dynamic stability must be achieved, but that type of stability is not found in
acrylics, staples, or rigid shoes.
Treatment
The first step in the treatment of cracks is to achieve
dynamic balance of hoof to foot. Balancing to what is called the Live Sole
Plane (Axis Plane). You can use the Dynamic Balance Hoof Level to confirm balance;
this tool offers a reliable plane of reference.
Once balance is achieved treat
infection. I recommend Soaking in Clean Trax, with daily follow up application
of Silvetrasol Hoof and Wound Wash. If it is determined that the crack or
cracks have resulted in unacceptable instability, then I recommend using
Perfect Hoof Wear for several trim cycles.
I have said it more times than I can remember, if the
mechanism for producing a healthy Matrix is comprised, then no supplement,
drug, or dressing is going to help alleviate hoof wall failures. Sure you can
attempt to hold it all together with a horseshoe, quarter clips, staples,
acrylics, and a host of other products developed as Band-Aids for the dreaded
hoof wall crack, but until the mechanism for the development of a healthy
matrix (balanced dynamic distortion) is returned you are simply placing a
finger in the dyke so to speak. 
Evidence Based
Having been a hoof care professional for over three decades,
and having graduates in eleven countries all applying the principles of dynamic
balance we can say that we have a large sampling of horses that once
suffered persistent hoof wall cracks, but no longer do.
If your horse is suffering from persistent hoof wall cracks,
you may want to investigate Applied Equine Podiatry further by visiting www.equinepodiatry.com
