horizontal crack

Doesn't look like a cut/wound. Would for sure keep him off that supplement in the mean time. As that grows down, be sure to keep his hooves trimmed, so you can avoid what happened in the pictures to the other poster's horse, where the hoof gave way, though it's going to be hard to keep it from doing so, since it looks to go around the whole hoof. Bandages may not help, and may just hold in extra moisture and make it weaker, and provide a better environment for fungi, so I would probably not put any wrappings over it. The hoof wall is separating from itself, so any extra leverage on it will make it worse, and not trying to pick at shoes here, but they increase force on the hoof wall, and aren't going to do squat to help that hoof stay attatched.

Usually if it's a dietary thing, I would anticipate seing it in all 4 feet, but perhaps it just affected the most stressed hoof, or there was some sort of trauma to cause a flare up in that hoof. Keep us posted on the vet's diagnosis.

Take him off the selenium.. He should be getting plenty from hay or feed. There is nothing you can do about it now except for keep his feet done regularly every 4-6 weeks and provide a well balanced low starch diet.. If you want to feed a supplement to make sure he is getting what he needs feed an all-round supplement. Good nutrition is crucial to good feet! I wouldn't ride him until his hoof regrows which will be 9months - a year.

Sorry this happened to your horse! That sucks.. :o(

Wow, I am hearing so many different diagnosis. I am completely freaked at this point.

What causes a hoof wall separation? Why isn't he showing any signs of pain? I am totally freaked.

as i said chucky didnt show any sign of pain or discomfort until it started to do the above (about 3 manoths after it happend) and he was his normal happy perky self!!! we kept his hooves as short as possible but that didnt seem to help at all. it took chucky's hooves 6 months to fully grow out, so unless there are other problems that come with it like chucky, you could probly ride him again in 6-9 months. and as i said, wrapping would help it as long as you keep it dry and clean. it will just help support the hoof. i would take his shoes off cause as above posters said, they put more pressure on the hoof wall. i dont knwo what casues it sorry, but a theory with chuckys hooves was too much of something to do with green grass or a toxin of some sort (from a plant or a bite).

dont be fooled by no signs of pain, chucky was in no pain at all what so ever until about 3 months into the ordeal.

Well, a little update.

I'm a freak.

No really, so the deal is that Willy lives in a temperate rainforest, and me, coming from NJ, does not fully take this into consideration (even after 5 years). So, in other words, the climate here in Humboldt is WET for several months. In any case, Willy's hoof issue consists of a swollen coronary band that dries and gets wet, dries and gets wet, consistently for several months. The crack is part of the coronary band peeling off. His hoof is not cracked, and none of them are cracked. Phew! I went out today and most of the excess "cuticle" had peeled off (pretty dry here for the past two days) and all looks normal. Hilarious.

Thanks for your input. All's well. Now I will go pass out from stress exhaustion.

HAHA LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well im soooo soso glad that its nothing bad and that he will be ok!!!!!!!! lol!!

It looks like his white feet may be developing the same crack. I do not like the angles and length of his feet either. I would find a new farrier and get his feet in better order.

He looks like he's standing under himself in that full side photo. Does he always stand like that?

What exactly is he eating? Hay? Grain? Supplements? It could be dietary in nature.

Good deal! Post some "after" pictures for us.

This makes me not like your farrier even more though, lol. He should have known what it was, or at least had an idea. I'd be farrier shopping right now if I were you.

Also, if selenium levels are known to be low in your area (or the area your hay comes from), then you can keep him on the supplement. They are for me, so I make sure to use a vitamin supplement that is high in selenium. If you're not sure, then I would discontinue the use of the supplement until you can find out.

You can/should get your forage tested for selenium levels. Then you know if you need to supplement or not. It has a VERY narrow range before it becomes toxic, so in areas where it is likely you are high/low its always a good idea to test.

Aside from the fact that that crack isn't an actual crack, from the picture you took of the back of the heels looking down the the bottom of the foot, it appears that he has a thrush issue. That deep crevas that runs up the back between the bulbs of his heel is un healthy. You should treat that before it gets worse. I had a horse with the same thing. The longer it festers the higher his heels are going to grow and the more out of balance his feet will be. He toes are looking a bit long as well. Just an FYI, not trying to be rude or anything.