Cracked, Chipped or Just Broken - Cheryl Smith

Despite our efforts as horse owner to keep our animals safe, they seem to find ways of injuring themselves.   If you have a horse, you know what I am talking about in that they to find ways to injure themselves, and we do not always know how they did it.   Despite it all when you mix fence wire and a horse hoof, the results is hoof damage!

The results of several months of Farrier Services.  The new growth as shown in the photograph continued down the hoof wall, extending down from the Coronary Band.

This damaged hoof is the result of the horse getting it’s hoof caught in it fencing wire.  This is not the result of an owner neglecting or not taking care of his horse.  It was just the result of the horse being a horse.  The owner was not sure how, or where in the fence he had got his hoof caught, so he repaired the corral in all the possible areas, there in lie the mystery! But the damage is done!

Fixing this hoof is a project I took on after finding out the history of the damaged hoof. 

What I want in my career is not to be just one of the other Farriers who makes attempts, but what I want is to make a difference and fix the hoof.   

My first goal was to find the path of the injury and clean it out and seal it up so new growth would be created.  With close examination, the damage continues from the ankle across the coronary band, and all the way down to the ground. 
This horse did not seem to be very impair by his damaged hoof as the owner has indicates the horse will walk, trot and gallop.  This horse is seldom ridden, but as his Farrier, it is hopeful the owner will be able to ride in low-impact situations, and perhaps even be able to take the ol’ boy on a trail ride.

When I arrived for the next appointment, the owner greeted me with the news that the crack was completely sealed up, and looking forward to riding Rusty.