What is the most common location for vertical wall cracks to originate on a claw?

• A. Lateral wall
• B. Toe
• C. Coronary band
• D. Heel

Answer: (B)

Vertical cracks in the claw wall most often start at the toe because this area bears the greatest bending and wear during movement. The dorsal wall at the toe is subjected to the highest tensile stress and is where minor traumas, dry horn, or an uneven trim are most likely to create a crack that then propagates up the wall. The coronary band is the growth zone, so cracks that originate there would reflect horn production issues rather than a primary initiation point. The heel is typically more protected and less prone to the initial stress concentration that starts a vertical crack. So the toe is the common starting spot for these cracks.