Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Generally, these are caused by one or more of the following: an abscess that blows at or just below the coronary band; bruising that weakens the wall (can be caused by stomping/kicking); frank injury to the hoof wall that penetrates the wall; poor nutrition that leads to flaws in hoof growth; illness (especially accompanied by fever) that results in flawed hoof growth..  If your horse was ill in the last month or so, that could explain it.  More likely, it's a small abscess or bruise that cracked the wall.  Generally, these are no big deal.  They grow out, and unless they interfere with nailing, it's not a problem.  Keep it clean, as it does increase the risk of infection in the hoof.  It sounds like your  farrier treated it properly.