What is this? With pics.

[Loopy_Laura]

In the last few days, what with the wet grass, i have been able to see the white cuticley bit (sorry i have no idea what that is called) of my ponies feet. I have noticed that she has got a strange bit on this part of her hoof, and the hoof below has a long crack running down it. She has had the crack since ive had her (8ish months) so it doesnt seem to be growing out.

Anyway, from the pics could anyone tell me what it is? They are from a phone so not the best quality sorry.

[Palomino Mare]

Hi,

i cant enlarge the pics as i'm at work and i'm certainly not a hoof expert but from thr first pic...seedy toe?

[Equine_student]

the crack looks like a grass crack, but doesn't seem deep? Is your pony lame? the hole on the coronary band could be a quiter? where a absess is tried to get out. not sure though ???? maybe ask you farrier

[MelanieD]

The cuticle bit is their equivalent of cuticles and is called periople. Its normal for it to get a bit swollen and white in wet weather. The missing chunk type bit on it looks like a small abcess popped out and the damage is now growing down, nothing to worry about since its now all over with and growing out. Since its right above the crack its possible something got in through the crack and started the abcess off. A little horizontal crack is likely to grow down the hoof wall as that bit that's in the 'cuticle' now gets further down, shouldn't cause any problems. I've even seen that kind of thing help a crack grow out so might even turn out to be sort of good :)

For getting rid of cracks foot balance needs to be good, can't see enough from those pics to be sure either way, and you need to make sure there's no infection lurking in the crack. Soaking once a week with borax (2 teaspoons in about a gallon) for 10 mins kills off most infection pretty well and would be a helpful thing to do as that bit at the top grows out to help stop it getting infected and breaking off too early as it grows down.