American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Advertise Follow Us
Does Grooving Benefit Quarter Cracks?
Hall Of Fame farrier Bob Pethick challenges its effects on heel displacement
The following article is based on Bob Pethick's presentation at the International Hoof-Care Summit — 2021 Virtual Clinic Series. To watch the presentation, click here.
Is the practice of grooving beneficial when managing a quarter crack?
Conventional wisdom seems to indicate that it does. However, Bedminster, N.J., farrier Bob Pethick had doubts. So when a client, who happened to be a veterinarian, bought a Quarter Horse with a bleeding quarter crack and a displaced heel quarter on the front foot, the Hall Of Fame farrier was presented with an opportunity to experiment.
The Backstory
A few months before, Pethick was called in to help Gumby with a recurring bleeding quarter crack. The English pleasure Quarter Horse had displacement in the back half of the foot and the medial bulb was starting to rise above the lateral bulb.
Farrier Takeaways
Grooving a quarter crack allows the hoof capsule to come out, but does not change displacement.
Floating the displaced heel relieves the stress, allowing it to settle and promotes new growth without continuous cracking in the quarter.
Floating from the buttress to forward of the crack, or to the second nail hole of a keg shoe, will ensure enough relief of the displaced heel.
“The owner wanted to sell this horse quite quickly because she had just gotten married and now she was going to have a child,” Pethick told attendees at the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. “We needed to fix this thing pretty quick, and simply…
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all American Farriers Journal content and archives online.
Top Articles
Current Issue
Farrier Gross Income Drops for the First Time in 8 Years
Olympia Farrier Supply Earns Inaugural Supply Shop of the Year
A True Mom & Pop Shop
Current Issue
Special Report For Equine Veterinarians
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
- Winter Hoof Care
Videos
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
American Farriers Journal is excited and honored to celebrate its 50th anniversary of publishing the hands-on magazine for hoof-care professionals. Learn more about our special edition, which comes out in December 2024.
Events
Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners (PHCP) will Host Beginning Clinic
Date: 11/09/24
Location:
View Event
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell USA
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
SmartPak
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.