Quarter Cracks in horses hoofwall.

A pretty common occurance. Usually resulting from improper angles and loads applied to horses feet.

Viewed as an open sore, a crack starting at the hairline of the horses foot and traveling vertically toward the ground. 

The crack can span vertically all the way from the hairline to the ground surface of the hoof.

Possilbe bleeding , infection , and chronic lameness.

Several methods of repair requiring specialized farrier skills.

5 weeks ago i was called out to look at a horse with a quarter crack. This particular crack has been a problem for many months to the owner, however the horse is sound/ experiencing no lameness. The (my new client) and i discussed possible repair methods and decided upon the easiest method and usually a very successful method/ namely just creating a clearance between the hoof and the shoe in the area of the crack. this method allows the crack to "Free float" and have a chance to mend starting at the hairline. By floating the section of hoof at the crack there is typically no longer any pressure being applied to the crack at the hairline and the hairline crack heals itself and new fresh growth occurs.  Well not the case this time after nearly a 6 week attempt with this method.

Sometimes after the float (Gap) is created the floating section of the hoof "Drops" ( which happened in this case) and the floating section again comes in contact with the shoe and the pressure (from walking the horse) is again applied directly to the hairline at the crack again preventing healing.    Oh the delemna ...

Theoretically one could surmise that the section of the hoof wall that "Dropped" could quite possibly have dropped as far as it could possibly and then one would just re-clearance that section of hoof wall to prevent contact with the shoe and the healing would then take place.  Theoretically !  it's not a guarantee though.

So rather than "Just" clearance the hoofwall i decided to go to the next step / clearance the hoofwall "And" do a lacing up of the crack. Idea being to shorten down time in case the original method is not successful again. Lacing is applying a mechanical device such as a plate or screws and wire to pull the crack together. The problem with those methods is sometimes they are difficult to apply enough "Pull" to actually close the crack enough to start the healing and the crack never mends, "Chronic condition". 

Now this horse i'm talking about here has a huge crack - it's deep - and at the hairline there is alot of give and flex and a very thin hoofwall there with alot of bulging of the crack as well. This was one of the most severe cracks i've ever seen.

I had been comtemplating using automotive hose clamps as a method of pulling quarter cracks together for quite some time but never really attempted . I've always been able to fix quarter cracks with the previously mentioned methods.   But today looking at the severety of this crack i decided to go ahead with the hose clamp idea.

I've taken pictures to post soon and within the coming 6 weeks i'll pay another visit out to evaluate the horse and the results which i will also post at that time however the process/method of the hose clamp follows.

1,  take a hose clamp long enough to completely wrap the hoof , approximately 8 inch diameter.  Next  cut a section of the hose clamp band off that was long enough to start (screw into ) the hoofwall behind (to the rear) of the quarter crack and extend forward to in front of the toe. Now this section of the hose clamp is the "Threaded" section that is inserted into the "Screw/tightener" of the hose clamp section.
2, Drill holes to the rear of the quarter crack to fasten the above section but not until measuring where to aim that band so to allow it to join in the correct spot with the ( Screw section ) which will be fastened at the toe.
3, Holes drilled now fasten the band behind the crack .
4, Drill holes and fasten the "Screw" end of the hose clamp (the other section) at the toe .  what you end up with is a perfect alignment - insert the band into the screw and proceed to "Screw Tighten" until the quarter crack pulls together.

             Wow !  this worked exceptionally well. Enough screw tightening pressure was easily applied to completely squeeze the quarter crack as far together as possible.  And that is what ya need !!  ideal situation !

5, Wrap the foot/hoof wall up with super tape of vet wrap or whatever material of choice you prefer as long as it works and protects the screw section ( which projects out somewhat ) .   if you leave the screw section unwrapped it's possible it could be scraped right off the hoof ( the fastening screws being pulled right out ).. So the simple thing to do is just thoroughly wrap the foot. 

So far i've never used a better method .  Now in 6 weeks i'll unwrap the foot and see the result and will post here again with pictures for you all to see.     

in the mean time happy riding to you all and remember to Care4Horses and they'll care 4 you     (-: 

take care

please feel free to leave comments , i encourage everyone to write me at  John@Care4Horses.com for any of your consultation needs - for a limited time it's FREE.

also please come back often i will be adding some very nice surprises/ bonuses/giveways/some of which are quite valuable that involve - well it's a secret but i promise it's good       hehe   

take care
john silveira