This horse has a awesome quarter crack due to a traumatic cut on his left outside coronary and bulb area. When I first starting shoeing this horse he had wedge pads and clips. I saw no need for the wedge after trimming the hoof. At first we were using clips, but this crack is not going to heal due to the injury coming from the hoof growth area.
First Horse's Purpose:The owners want to use the horse in the mountains and need him sound and shod in a way that will help ensure not losing a shoe. I firmly believe in the KISS method (keeping it simple...)
Second Evaluation: The best improvement for this hoof was to keep the foot fall and weight bearing where it should be. Ease the breakover both laterally and keep comfort to any medial movement. This crack tends to expand when the hoof is off the ground and closes slightly when weight bearing.
Third Shoe method applied: I trimmed to a 1/3 in front of frog apex and 2/3 behind style. I modified a keg shoe into a " Square" rolled toe (natural balance type)This helps foot fall and weight bearing. I used a light rim which I feel offers ease of lateral movement. I did not apply clips because of the fact that weight bearing actually closes the crack somewhat and felt they weren't needed. I did drive the 4th nail from back to front so it went from behind the crack, through the inside of crack, and clinched in front of cracked. I rasped flares and the deformed section on the rear end of the outside hoof wall; trying to make it look nice which I feel sometimes improves the condition..."If it looks good, it is good" This may not always be the case but I bet in 80% of the cases if you help the hoof look like a hoof you are doing the right thing.
