Cracked Hooves in Horses: Causes & Prevention

Cracked hooves are a fairly common problem that will affect almost every horse throughout their lifetime. In most cases, small cracks and chips are nothing to worry about and are simply superficial damage, but sometimes a hoof crack can be a serious issue that can cause lameness and infections.

In this guide, we look at the causes behind cracked hooves in horses and provide information on when you should seek veterinary attention.

What are hoof cracks?

To put it simply, these are cracks which form in the hoof wall. Vertical cracks are the most common which can originate from the ground surface (also known as grass cracks) or the coronary band (called sand cracks). These cracks can either be complete, which is where they extend from the ground surface to the coronary band, or incomplete which refers to the crack appearing part way up or down the hoof wall from the ground surface or coronary band. Generally, incomplete hoof cracks don’t cause unsoundness unless they’re caused by a secondary infection, but cracks that affect the coronary band often do.

What causes cracked hooves?

Cracked hooves in horses can be caused by many different things, some of the most common being:

Trauma

One of the most common causes of cracked hooves is trauma. This may be due to poor farriery work which causes balance issues, conformation problems that put strain on the hoof wall or external trauma such as a blow to the hoof or repeated concussion from too much fast work on hard surfaces.

Genetics

Your horse’s genetics play a large part in the overall strength and thickness of their hoof wall. Certain breeds such as Thoroughbreds are just more prone to developing cracks, whereas others have stronger feet with more structural integrity.

Abscesses

Horizontal hoof cracks that are parallel to the ground are often caused by an abscess. This likely drained through the coronary band and temporarily disrupted the formation of the horn and created a gap. Once the abscess is treated, these cracks tend to grow out with little issue.

Nutritional deficiencies

If your horse has fine cracks on all four hooves, then they may be lacking certain vitamins and minerals in their diet. If only one hoof is cracked, it’s unlikely to be due to a nutritional deficiency.

Weather and environment

Exposure to both prolonged wet and dry conditions can cause the hoof to weaken, especially if your horse is being consistently exposed to extremes like wet then frozen ground or wet then hard and dry surfaces. Additionally, where some moisture is good for hooves, a lot of standing in wet or muddy conditions can cause the hoof to weaken.

Treating cracked hooves in horses

If your horse is lame or there’s damage to the coronary band, your first step should always be to consult your vet. There’s a variety of issues that can cause unsoundness in horses and making a correct diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. If there’s an infection in the hoof, this will also need to be dealt with before the crack is corrected and the hoof is stabilised.

If the hoof crack is just a ground surface one that doesn’t cause lameness, this can usually be easily corrected by your farrier. The hoof wall will be stabilised by trimming and if required, shoeing. For shod horses with a very deep crack, your farrier may choose to shoe with toe or quarter clips to either side of the crack.

If an abscess is present, your farrier will locate this and if possible, cut out, treat it, and remove or stabilise the crack with an appropriate trim. If the coronary band is involved, the crack will likely be cut out along the length to reduce pinching of the laminae which will also help to prevent perpetuation by overlapping edges, it will then be stabilised using your farrier’s preferred method.

Preventing hoof cracks in horses

If your horse has genetically poor feet, cracked hooves will likely be something you’ll deal with throughout their life. With that in mind, there are some things you can do to keep their hooves in good condition and potentially reduce the frequency of cracks forming.

1. Keep up to date with farrier visits

The best possible thing you can do to ensure your horse’s hooves stay in tip-top condition is to keep on top of farrier visits. Keeping their hooves regularly trimmed at all times and if necessary, shod, will go a long way in preventing cracks from forming in the first place and your farrier will be able to correct issues before they escalate.

2. Get shoes or boots for road work

If your horse is currently barefoot and you do a lot of road work, consider shoeing or getting some hoof boots. Frequent riding or working on hard surfaces such as roads can cause a lot of wear and chips to the hoof, so it’s a good idea to keep them protected.

3. Watch your footing

It’s widely known that a lot of fast work on hard surfaces can cause cracked hooves, but did you know that deep and soft footing can cause cracks to form too? This is because this type of footing puts extra stress on the hoof and can cause injury to the hoof wall. When out hacking, never canter or gallop on hard ground and walk when it’s very dry or wet. You should also regularly drag your arena to keep the footing even and prevent deep and shallow areas.

4. Look at their diet

If your horse’s cracked hooves are due to a nutritional deficiency, it could be worth revaluating their diet. If your horse has naturally brittle feet, our Vetrohoof™ supplement could be a great addition to their diet. Specially formulated with a veterinary strength concentration of D-Biotin and a unique amino acid profile with potent antioxidants, it can help to promote hoof horn growth, as well as strengthen and improve the overall quality of the hoof.

If you’re unsure about supplements or what you should be adding to your horse’s diet, we recommend speaking to a qualified nutritionist to get tailored recommendations.

5. Evaluate your horse’s environment

For hoof cracks that are caused by exposure to dry, wet or hard conditions, you may need to change their environment. If the cracks are from consistent mud or wet areas, consider bringing your horse into a dry stable for at least part of the day and use bedding such as wood pellets as this is good for drawing moisture out. For hoof cracks caused by dry conditions, you can try letting your water trough run over so that it forms a damp area where they drink, make sure not to make it too boggy though. It may also be worth adding a hoof treatment to your routine, but do your research as some lock moisture out!

6. Inspect their hooves daily

Pick out your horse’s hooves daily and whilst you do this, examine their hoof health. Feel around the hoof wall and coronary band and look out for anything out of the ordinary, checking for dark spots on the sole as you go as this could indicate bruising. If your horse is shod, check their shoes are secure by giving them a little wiggle at this point too. By doing daily checks, you’ll be able to recognise what’s normal for your horse and spot any issues as soon as possible.

Now you know all about caring for cracked hooves in horses and how to maintain their hoof health. Looking for more horse care information? Check out our guide on crib-biting in horses, next.