The equine hoof is an anatomically complex structure and has an abundant epidermis, with underlying dermis attached to P3.
The front and sides of the outer hoof is called the wall, whereas the ventral (underside) aspect of the hoof is called the sole.
The hoof wall is composed of three distinct layers of stratum corneum.
The outer two layers, the stratum externum and stratum medium are generated by and grow downwards from the epidermis of the coronary band (or coronet, similar to the cuticle of a fingernail). The stratum externum, is the thin outermost layer of the hoof wall. The stratum medium or tubular horn, is the middle and thickest layer of the hoof wall. The innermost layer of the hoof wall is the stratum internum. This layer is produced by the epithelium of the laminar epidermis and is fused to the stratum medium. The laminar epidermis sits on top of the laminar dermis, which is firmly attached to the P3.
White Line
Commonly referred to as the white line, although this is quite misleading, not only because it is actually a yellowish colour, but also because it is next to the white inner hoof wall. This often causes people to misinterpret the white line as inner wall, so it is sometimes called the Golden Line, for me, a much more accurate description, that was commonly used in the 1800s. The purpose of the Golden Line is to join the sole to the inner hoof wall and seal off the border of the coffin bone, to protect it from bacteria infiltration. It creates a shallow crease at the bottom of the hoof, which fills with dirt, aiding traction.
Outer Hoof Wall - Contains Water
The outer hoof wall is pigmented and is much stronger than the inner hoof wall. It’s purpose is to bear some of the weight of the horse, protect the internal structures from harm and acts like a spring, storing and releasing energy during the different phases of the stride, to help propel the horse along. The outer hoof wall is almost impermebeable, meaning that mud, water and other things that come into contact with it, will not be able to penetrate the hoof wall. If the hoof wall is damaged through injury, lack of care or nutritional imbalances, substances that come into contact with it will seep through.
Inner Hoof Wall - Contains Water
The inner hoof wall is usually white (unlike the outer hoof wall, it does not contain pigment) and it is more pliable than the outer hoof wall, due to it having a higher moisture content, this enables the inner hoof wall to stretch more as the outer hoof wall moves. This ensures that the inner workings of the hoof are protected from too much shock, as well as allowing the outer hoof wall to move, without losing its strength of attachment.
The front and sides of the outer hoof is called the wall, whereas the ventral (underside) aspect of the hoof is called the sole.
The hoof wall is composed of three distinct layers of stratum corneum.
The outer two layers, the stratum externum and stratum medium are generated by and grow downwards from the epidermis of the coronary band (or coronet, similar to the cuticle of a fingernail). The stratum externum, is the thin outermost layer of the hoof wall. The stratum medium or tubular horn, is the middle and thickest layer of the hoof wall. The innermost layer of the hoof wall is the stratum internum. This layer is produced by the epithelium of the laminar epidermis and is fused to the stratum medium. The laminar epidermis sits on top of the laminar dermis, which is firmly attached to the P3.
White Line
Commonly referred to as the white line, although this is quite misleading, not only because it is actually a yellowish colour, but also because it is next to the white inner hoof wall. This often causes people to misinterpret the white line as inner wall, so it is sometimes called the Golden Line, for me, a much more accurate description, that was commonly used in the 1800s. The purpose of the Golden Line is to join the sole to the inner hoof wall and seal off the border of the coffin bone, to protect it from bacteria infiltration. It creates a shallow crease at the bottom of the hoof, which fills with dirt, aiding traction.
Outer Hoof Wall - Contains Water
The outer hoof wall is pigmented and is much stronger than the inner hoof wall. It’s purpose is to bear some of the weight of the horse, protect the internal structures from harm and acts like a spring, storing and releasing energy during the different phases of the stride, to help propel the horse along. The outer hoof wall is almost impermebeable, meaning that mud, water and other things that come into contact with it, will not be able to penetrate the hoof wall. If the hoof wall is damaged through injury, lack of care or nutritional imbalances, substances that come into contact with it will seep through.
Inner Hoof Wall - Contains Water
The inner hoof wall is usually white (unlike the outer hoof wall, it does not contain pigment) and it is more pliable than the outer hoof wall, due to it having a higher moisture content, this enables the inner hoof wall to stretch more as the outer hoof wall moves. This ensures that the inner workings of the hoof are protected from too much shock, as well as allowing the outer hoof wall to move, without losing its strength of attachment.