Hi there, i am not a trimmer of a farrier so this advise is only from
my pesonal experience. I know that a farrier can cut a v shape into the
top of the crack which helps diperse the weight and allows the crack to
start growing out. Moisture balence is very important to maintain
healthy feet try making sure the hooves are getting wet for maybe ten
mins each day this is very good to stop them getting brittle. Also
using a hoof conditioner should help but not hoof oil as this has the
opposite effect. Try also feeding a hoof supplement to improve the
qualtity of horn growth. cornacresin used around the corrinet band can
also speed hoof growth up. If you farrier really feels shoes are the
only answer then maybe ask him about plastic glue on shoes, this way
when you do go back to barefoot there will not be nail damage to
contend with. I also know that pins can be used to hold the crack
together and tar can be used to seal any gaps and prevent infection
gatting into the crack. In terms of trimming make sure that the edges
of the hoof are well rounded so that breakover occures early so extra
stain is not put on the hoof wall (like the toe of a trainer).

Hope this is of some use
Kiri

>----Original Message----
>From: mybackforty@...
>Date: 13/07/2008 3:02
>To: <barefoothorses@yahoogroups.com>
>Subj: [barefoothorses] Re: Quarter crack, please advise
>
>--- In barefoothorses@yahoogroups.com, "Tibbi Searcher" <tibbi07@...>
>wrote:
>>
>> I have a three year old filly who has developed a quarter crack on
her
>> front toe. She had gotten a little long and I felt that more
frequent
>> trimming would clear it up. I've trimmed her twice since the crack
>> appeared and things seem to be getting worse. She has now developed
a
>> small hole between the wall and the sole directly behind the
crack.
>>
>> I described the situation to a farrier that this was due to the
>> pressures working against the crack and that the best chance for
>> correcting the problem was to shoe the foot to reduce it's
expansion
>> and allow the crack to grow out.
>>
>> She has never been shod and her feet are other wise healthy. I've
>> picked the hole out and have detected no foul oder or discharge, so
>> don't feel there is an infection present. She isn't showing any
signs
>> of lameness and probing the area doesn't bring discomfort.
>>
>> I'm doing a basic barefoot trim. Keeping the walls low and rolling
the
>> toe and quarters to relieve pressure on the outer wall.
>>
>> Any advice would be most appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Tibbi
>
>Can you post pics?
>
>Very Important Question: Is there new uncracked growth across the top
>of this crack?
>
> Has the upward pathway of this crack been stopped? Is the crack just
>seeming to break out kind of messy at the ground? That's normal. It
>all has to grow down from the top. You have to contain it until it
>does and keep the torque off it from getting longer, so it will grow
>down and be gone.
>
>
>>
>The horse lands heel to toe just like you. He's even got an arch to
>his foot. There is tremendous torque at the toe when the hoof breaks
>over it to leave the ground. Are you trimming yourself?....
fantastic!!
>Do you need shoes?....no, the magic bevel! She's always barefoot, she
>isn't tender?....definitely don't need the shoes.
>
>How's your bevel? Your bevel is your ace in the hole for taking the
>torque off that crack and everything else, while you wait for it to
>grow down and be gone.
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>




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