Ridecamp: [RC] horizontal crack

Lysane: That crack, especially accompanied by a ridge or a line in
corresponding areas on other hooves, is likely a "fever line" and
nothing to worry about now. Remember that the coronary band is the
starting point for hoof growth and any trauma in that area will follow
that growth. A crack will appear after trauma in the coronary band,
while the lines are caused by a stress affecting the blood supply to the
foot. In severe cases, this is the beginning of laminitis or founder. To
see how this works, measure the distance of the line from the top
of the hoof and compare it with the overall distance from top to bottom.
The hoof is a record of the horse's health during the past year. IOW, a
line half way down the hoof would correspond with an stressful or
traumatic event six months ago. If the hoof is four inches long and the
line is one inch from the hair line, you are looking at something that
happened three months ago. So, by using that comparison, try and
remember if the horse was stressed or ill during that approximate time
period. I have one thin-skinned mare whose hooves are so reactive, I can
"see" the last year of rides in the rings and cracks around their walls.
She even gets a fever ring when she's vaccinated.

Hope that helps,

bkbkbk

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=