Horse Hoof quarter-cracks and how they are treated
 

Big Brown has a hoof quarter-crack history.

When you're talking about an injury that Big Brown is dealing with right now, a quarter-crack type injury, it's more an annoyance to a horse than anything else except when you’re in the triple crown races.

A hoof quarter-crack is  something that can cause some minor discomfort to a horse, and in a worst-case scenario could prevent him from maybe putting 100 percent of his weight on his hoof which would be dangerous in the long run and could cause Laminitis.

The hours leading up to the race would be the critical time to ensure that the plan by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay is viable. Treatment will end today with an acrylic adhesive, which McKinlay said would make that area stronger than the hoof itself.

Horse Hoof quarter-crack: We have all seen quarter-cracks in our barn.  The ones we had were just a little splitting from the bottom of the hoof and upward.  You will know right away if it is serious because the horse will start limping or favoring that leg.  Others that I have heard of or seen in books are far more serious and require immediate veterinary care and in my mind the horse should be turned out and rested.

Can Horse Hoof quarter-cracks be repaired, well the answer is yes.

Hoof quarter-cracks can be repaired and stitched up with wire that goes through the hard part of the hoof.  the wire is put in painlessly because it’s going through the hoof (just like a fingernail) and then slowly tightened until the crack comes together.  A few days later if the hoof seems to be healing and there is no inflammation or heat you can undo the stitches and clean the crack, trim out the bad spots and stitch it back up again. 

With time the quarter-crack will heal and as long as the horse does not work out and is rested should in time be as good as new.

Unfortunately some horses, such as Big Brown are prone to quarter-cracks and his sire also had quarter-cracks so it is a hereditary condition at times.

This type of injury is quite common, and that there are many ways to approach the treatment of the hoof.

I'm not saying it won't hinder a horse's performance, but as far as being a cracked bone, it's nothing like that. Some horses, it won't bother. Others who can not race with the pain, it will bother them.

quarter-cracks are cuts, splits and defects in the hoof wall that usually can be traced back to stress on that area.

Some horses are able to go back into training in a matter of days as long as it's not a severe injury, it can be stabilized without complications with wire and pins.

Jockeys do not like surprises during a race, and they have to rely on the opinion of specialists. Great racehorses will run through pain even though it might cause them to break or fracture their legs, ankles and knees.  They were bred to race and be competitive and they are.  I will never forget Go for Wan.

"The adrenaline starts pumping, and great horses do great things through some kind of pain at times.  Big Brown's jockey, Kent Desormeaux, hopefully  will get a clean break and get his horse into a good position in the longest of the Triple Crown events at 1 1/2 miles.