Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Hoof Wall Avulsion
Synonyms: Hoof Fracture, Wound or Tear
Summary
Wounds to the coronet (coronary band) region may tear into the hoof, and may pull part of the hoof free. A severe force to the hoof may tear loose a chunk of hoof. Hoof avulsion refers to a fracture or tearing of the hoof wall that accompanies trauma. In rare cases, the entire hoof capsule is pulled off. An avulsion is different from a hoof wall crack.
The most common cause is probably hoof to hoof contact (over-reaching with a shoe) but any blow or wound to the lower limb can cause hoof avulsion. Horses ripping their shoes off (over-reach or catching on object) may pull off hoof wall along with it. Severely overgrown hoof acts as a lever and may tear loose a large piece of hoof.
Diagnosis requires veterinary exam, exploration of the wound, and usually x-ray to rule out bony injury.
Treatment depends on the nature of the wound. In some cases, the hoof may need to be removed and in other cases, stabilized. Since the coronary band generates the hoof wall (as a human cuticle does), it is important that wounds to the coronet are repaired as well as possible, to preserve it's function and for normal hoof wall growth in the future.
The most common cause is probably hoof to hoof contact (over-reaching with a shoe) but any blow or wound to the lower limb can cause hoof avulsion. Horses ripping their shoes off (over-reach or catching on object) may pull off hoof wall along with it. Severely overgrown hoof acts as a lever and may tear loose a large piece of hoof.
Diagnosis requires veterinary exam, exploration of the wound, and usually x-ray to rule out bony injury.
Treatment depends on the nature of the wound. In some cases, the hoof may need to be removed and in other cases, stabilized. Since the coronary band generates the hoof wall (as a human cuticle does), it is important that wounds to the coronet are repaired as well as possible, to preserve it's function and for normal hoof wall growth in the future.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury, involvement of other structures and the severity of damage to the coronet band. It ranges from good to poor.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Can anything be done to repair the coronet band, to ensure long-term normal hoof wall growth?
Prevention
Horses that tend to over-reach or interfere should wear lower limb protection (bell boots). Proper hoof care is an obvious part of prevention.
further reading & resources
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
