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.