Quarter Crack Rehabilitation: Improving Hoof Balance Through Regular Trimming

Equine Podiatrist: Sophie Watts

Horse: Harley

Background

Harley, whose quarter cracks and hoof balance improved following six months of regular trimming and hoof care.

When I first met Harley, he had underrun heels with associated quarter cracks due to reverse curvature (and clover-eaf shape), as well as marked high-low asymmetry between right fore and left fore respectively. 

Pre-trim images of right fore and left fore showing steeper angles of right fore, and scaly periople and quarter cracks on both feet.

He was on field rest following a suspensory ligament injury in his left hind and a gait assessment showed asymmetrical movement in his hind end. The left side of his pelvis was higher, his left toe was angled and his right toe angled out. This showed in his feet as having mild mediolateral imbalance on both.

When formulating a plan, one of the main things I noticed was that despite being on a regular six-week trim cycle, he had a lot of horn at the first visit and his perioplic membrane was thick and scaly. With Emma Baker as my mentor and with the owner's support, we opted to put him on a three-week trim cycle initially to get on top of the growth. We also stopped supplementary biotin (as we suspected that, as a cob, he produced sufficient hoof horn without it), and recommended regular topical treatment of sole cleanse and wire brushing to encourage exfoliation and maintenance of healthy horn. We added additional clay treatment to manage mild white line disease as the case progressed.

Trim-wise, I was able to optimise his heel height and placement almost immediately because other structures were sufficiently strong. Harley's feet then responded quickly!

Right fore and left fore showing more comparable angles (somewhat hidden under his feathers) after five months.

Right fore pre-trim (top left) to five months (bottom right).

Left fore pre-trim (top left) to five months (bottom right).

By the time the case reached six months, there was almost no white line disease or cracking in sight, his front feet were closer to a matching pair, and he was back in light work.

The success we had was a team effort as Harley's owner took feedback on board and kept on top of his diet/exercise/topical treatments as needed.

After I finished my exams, I left for a travelling sabbatical and was very happy to hand Harley over to Rory Fowler. Having a network of Equine Podiatrists to lean on is great as it allows horses and owners a continuity of care even when an individual's circumstances change. It makes decisions slightly easier knowing the horse and owner will be in safe hands!