Hoof cracks can be as simple as something that merely irritates the observer from an aesthetic point of view to something so serious that the horse is dead lame and unable to perform. Hoof cracks come in a variety of types and sizes, and they originate from a variety of causes that can range from something as serious as laminitis to something as basic as repetitive exercise on hard surfaces or improper shoeing.

DONNA DIXON WOODALL A full-length hoof crack extends from the ground to the coronary band.

Through the years, many approaches have been taken to solve the hoof crack problem, ranging from applying a variety of topical remedies to filing a horizontal groove above or below the crack in an effort to prevent it from spreading. Also used have been corrective shoes, rubber or plastic pads, and even removal of a portion of the hoof wall at the crack site