ANSWER:
GRASS CRACKS start
at the ground surface and extend upwards. Shoeing
with clips on each side of the cracks should work,
as the hooves grow down and the crack eventually
disappears.
SAND CRACKS: Start
at the top of the hoof (coronet band) and extend
downwards to the ground. Again shoeing with clips
on either side of the cracks if not to serious.
BUT with some Sand Cracks, the farrier must work
closely with a Vet who may want to remove part of
the hoof wall to help heal the crack.
Regardless, both
types of cracks can take up to year and
often much more of being correctly shod at regular
intervals to heal.
A Vet may certainly
recommend a good "Hoof Wall" Conditioner such a
"Hoof Flex" applied daily by rubbing well into the
coronet band and the wall of the hoof itself.
Adding nutritional supplements "purchased from a
Vet" may certainly help also. Not allowing the
horses feet to get to dried out helps too. Certain
wood shavings in stalls and certain arena
surfaces also may contribute to drying out of the
hoof. Clay type soil on your farm is deadly for
drying out hooves.
Most Sand Cracks are caused by a previous injury to
the Coronet Band of the hoof.
