What should I do if my horse loses a shoe and the hoof is cracked?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse loses a shoe and the hoof is cracked, the first step is to stay calm and check how serious the crack looks. Small surface cracks are fairly common, but a deeper crack, bleeding, heat, lameness or a loose piece of hoof may need a farrier, and sometimes a vet as well.

The crack itself doesn’t always mean a major problem, but it can be made worse by movement, uneven footing or a shoe that has pulled part of the hoof wall away.

Things To Check

1. Look at how the horse is moving on the affected foot. Any obvious lameness, short stepping or reluctance to turn matters.

2. Check whether the hoof feels hotter than the others or whether the digital pulse seems stronger than usual.

3. Look closely at the crack. Notice whether it is only a small surface split or whether it runs higher up, opens and closes, or seems to reach sensitive tissue.

4. Check for bleeding, a loose section of hoof, or any nail that looks raised, bent or close to the crack.

5. Look for mud, grit or stones packed into the shoe area or crack, as these can make it more uncomfortable.

6. Notice whether the horse is more sore on hard ground, turning tightly or walking on uneven surfaces.

7. Check the sole and heel area for bruising, chips or signs the hoof has been damaged when the shoe came off.

Common Causes

The most common cause is the shoe coming off cleanly and taking a bit of hoof wall with it, which can leave a crack or chip behind.

Dry, brittle hooves can also split more easily, especially if the weather has changed or the foot has been under strain.

Sometimes a poor fit, a worn shoe, or repeated knocking in the field can weaken the hoof wall before the shoe is lost.

Less commonly, a crack may be linked to deeper hoof imbalance, bruising or another hoof problem that needs proper assessment.

What To Do

Keep your horse on calm, level footing if possible and avoid unnecessary exercise until the hoof has been checked.

If the hoof is dirty, gently remove loose mud and debris so you can see the crack properly, but don’t dig into it or pick at any loose hoof.

If the shoe is still partly attached or hanging loose, don’t try to force it off unless you’ve been shown how to do that safely.

Take a clear photo of the hoof, including the crack and the shoe area, so you can show your farrier if needed.

Contact your farrier promptly for advice on whether the shoe needs removing, resetting or leaving off for a short period while the hoof settles.

Keep the horse in a clean, dry area if the ground is very wet or muddy, as that may help reduce extra stress on the crack while you wait for guidance.

When To Contact A Vet

If the horse is clearly lame, the crack is deep or bleeding, the hoof feels hot, or there’s swelling above the foot, contact your vet. A vet should also be involved if the horse seems very painful, the crack looks like it may involve the sensitive part of the hoof, or the farrier is concerned there may be a more serious hoof injury.

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