Why does my horse have a chip or crack in the hoof edge?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

A chip or crack at the hoof edge is quite common and often comes from wear, dryness, wet-to-dry changes, or a foot that’s starting to get a bit out of balance. It doesn’t always mean there’s a serious problem, but it’s worth checking the hoof closely so you can spot anything that needs attention.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the chip or crack is only at the outer edge or whether it seems to run further up the hoof wall.

2. Look for heat, swelling, redness, discharge, a smell, or any broken skin around the hoof or lower leg.

3. Watch how your horse is moving on a straight line and on a circle to see if there’s any obvious unevenness or soreness.

4. Think about recent changes in turnout, weather, ground conditions, exercise, or shoeing/trimming routine.

5. Check whether the hoof is very dry and crumbly, or whether it’s been repeatedly wet and muddy.

6. Look at the fit and condition of any shoes if your horse is shod, including whether a shoe is loose or shifted.

7. Compare all four feet if you can, because one foot may show a more obvious wear pattern than the others.

Common Causes

Minor edge chips are often just caused by normal wear, especially if the hoof is on hard ground or the wall is a little brittle.

Dry hooves can become more prone to cracking or flaking at the edge, particularly after a dry spell followed by sudden wet weather.

Repeated wet and muddy conditions can also weaken the hoof wall over time, making the edge easier to chip.

Sometimes the hoof shape, trim, or shoe balance means one part of the wall is carrying more load than the rest, which can lead to a chip or crack appearing in the same place.

Less commonly, a deeper crack, soreness, or a change in how the horse moves may be linked with an abscess, injury, or another hoof problem that needs proper assessment.

What To Do

Keep an eye on the crack and note whether it is changing in length, depth, or shape.

Keep the hoof clean and pick it out regularly so mud, stones, and debris don’t build up around the damaged edge.

Try to reduce unnecessary wear by avoiding very hard or rough ground if the hoof is already chipped.

If the hoof looks dry and brittle, make sure the horse has sensible day-to-day hoof care and a consistent routine rather than frequent changes between very wet and very dry conditions.

If the chip keeps returning in the same place, mention it to your farrier so they can check balance, breakover, and whether any small adjustment would help.

Products That May Help

For horses that are often on wet, muddy ground or need extra help with routine hoof and leg care, this collection may be useful alongside regular trimming and stable management.

Hoof, Leg & Mud Care

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