The hardships of summer include not only the annoying flies and horseflies and the unbearable heat, but also the long dry periods.
Which horse owner hasn't experienced this? The hooves become brittle, crack and sometimes crumble. Even if it often seems harmless, this sign should be taken seriously. In some cases, it becomes so severe that the horses become lame and cannot be ridden for a long period of time.
But how exactly can one act correctly in these acute situations or how can one prevent such effects?
The horse's hoof is considered the most important part of horse care. This care includes cleaning, removing droppings and soil particles and the use of care products. Contamination of the bedding with droppings and urine causes the sole and frog of the hoof to become dirty, which in turn leads to a reduction in the quality of the hoof horn and rotting processes if not cared for properly.
The aim of hoof care is to maintain or restore the regular hoof shape and the quality of the hoof horn and to avoid the previously mentioned rotting processes.
The most common problem in summer, however, is dryness, which is transferred to the hooves and causes hoof cracks. The so-called stress cracks are a few millimeters deep and can be repaired with sufficient moisture. Another type of hoof crack occurs in the lower part of the hoof, runs through the entire tread and usually also through the white line. Germs and bacteria get inside, hoof ulcers develop and the hoof is destroyed from the inside, so to speak.
The first question to ask before treatment is: Where do the cracks come from?
Cracks occur when tension occurs in the hoof. The causes are a lack of moisture or hooves that are too wide or too long.
In the case of cracks caused by hooves that are too long or too wide, the problem is often resolved by appropriate treatment by the farrier and usually does not occur again.
Hooves that are too dry, however, require more intensive and long-term treatment. After exposure to moisture for at least 15 minutes, the hooves should be immediately dried with a cloth and then greased. There are also specially formulated feed mixtures with a balanced ratio of minerals, trace elements and vitamins, which strengthen the hooves from the inside out and prevent them from cracking quickly. If such intensive treatment is not carried out, worse consequences such as permanent lameness or countless hoof ulcers can be expected.
