Bambi (dbL)
February 2015
Treating Persistent Central Sulcus Cracks in the Dessert These deep cracks in the central sulcus of the frog are a common occurrence during the first two years of the transition into a properly shaped bare foot. It may be a regional thing from our hot dry climate. I usually see this when the hoof still has the tendency to retain a more abundant amount of dry dead material before the softer more pliable live tissue has had time to fully develop. This causes the horse pain (similar to a crack in your lips or between your toes) so they compensate by shifting their weight to their toe. This makes it challenging to maintain weight bearing in the back of the foot. This can be hard to trim out because the outer material is rock hard and there is little transition to the soft highly sensitive inner tissue. In my opinion it is a sign that the horse is struggling to build the inner structures or is in a vulnerable stage of development. Often times a good rain will make the hard, dry, dead material soften up and start to exfoliate. This can be a good opportunity to remove the old and define the new. I never soak the feet to soften the material so that it's easier to trim. I just make sure my tools are really sharp (just a personal choice). These cracks make a great hideaway for bacteria. I've had good luck with daily Apple Cider Vinegar soaks and Pete's Goo, (athlete's foot fungal cream and Neosporin + Pain Relief) but the long term remedy is to keep the back of the foot properly shaped and comfortable for the majority of the horse's weight bearing. This can be an obvious challenge, but a change in footing can help. This includes boots with comfort pads, which I consider to be mobile footing. I prefer using sand/chat/pea gravel because it's a 24/7 remedy that the horse can choose and it leaves the cracks open to the air. Think of a band aid constantly over a wound rather than letting it air dry, again this may be personal preference. The photo on the left is two weeks of growth and just before a trim. I trimmed this foot once at the time of the before photo and then once more the following day. The right photo was taken directly after the second trim. Again, there was no soaking involved here. Bambi lives on 80 acres of non-irrigated Bermuda grass with 4 other geldings.
August 2015
February 2015 - September 2015
Feb - Sept - Nov
Top - 9/25/15 Bottom - 11/5/15 Right hind limb dominance causing excessive wear on lateral side of right hind. A more balanced wall thickness can be grown out by frequently beveling the wall as close to the peripheral edge of the sole as possible, rockering and rolling the heels to a comfortable height above the seat of corn, and smoothing the frog to its proper shape and height in relation to the heel purchases.
December 2015
October 2016
July 2017
October 2017
December 2017
April 2018
September 2018 Pre Trim/Mid Trim/Post Trim
January 2019
April 2019
October 2020
