Hoof wall defects: chronic hoof wall separations and hoof wall cracks
Authors: Moyer William
Journal: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hoof wall defects represent one of the most frequently encountered problems in equine practice, yet our understanding of their aetiology, prevalence, and optimal management strategies remains surprisingly limited by robust clinical evidence. Moyer's comprehensive review synthesises the existing literature and the author's extensive clinical experience to examine chronic hoof wall separations and cracks, conditions that range from cosmetically insignificant to genuinely problematic in terms of lameness, infection risk, and performance impact. Whilst numerous farriery techniques and management approaches have evolved over centuries of horsemanship, the author highlights a critical gap: few peer-reviewed studies quantify incidence rates or directly compare treatment efficacy, meaning much current practice relies on empirical observation rather than controlled data. The review emphasises that distinguishing between benign defects requiring monitoring and those warranting intervention—through shoeing modifications, supplementation, or corrective trimming protocols—demands nuanced clinical reasoning tailored to the individual horse's circumstances. For farriers, veterinarians, and allied professionals, this work serves as a reminder that evidence-based management of hoof wall pathology remains an area where continued research is essential to move beyond tradition-based protocols towards demonstrably effective interventions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Not all hoof wall defects require intervention—differentiate between incidental findings and clinically significant problems
- •Evidence for best-practice management of hoof wall separations and cracks is limited; farriers should apply critical thinking to treatment selection rather than relying on tradition alone
- •Individualized assessment of each case is essential, as the same defect may pose different risks depending on the horse's use and conformation
Key Findings
- •Many hoof wall defects detected in horses present little or no danger to the individual horse
- •Few studies are available providing accurate incidence rates, understanding of causes, or comparative evaluation of treatment modes for hoof wall defects
- •Specialized consideration is required for hoof wall defects that are currently problematic or have high likelihood of becoming problematic