EXTERNAL HOOF ANATOMY 101 �������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Nature made some clever engineering designs when the hoof was created. Still not 100% understood, it takes a beating with every step, undergoes stress levels that are off the chart and still manages to move the horse forward. No wonder hoof problems are fairly common and it appears to be the dominant site of performance horse lameness. Most of the pain from lameness results from the inner structures and are greatly affected by the external hoof structures. The hoof itself is somewhat elastic in nature. It can deform or change its shape with stresses (expands when bearing weight) as well as can become distorted in a more permanent manner (such as in contracted heels due to undersized shoes). Changes in the outer structures can change structures in the inner hoof and vice versa whether for the betterment or detriment of the horse. The end result will affect the whole horse. The external horses hoof is divided into 6 different areas, namely the coronet, periople, wall, bulbs, sole, and frog. The sole and frog are subdivided even further as we will discuss below. EXTERNAL SIDE SURFACE OF HOOF The coronet is a continuous line that separates the haired skin of the lower leg and the hardened hoof wall as well as the bulbs located on the back of the hoof. The periople is a thin outer layer of the hoof wall that extends down a short distance from the haired skin area onto the hoof wall. It is the area that when wetted, appears to be a different color shade to nearly opaque in appearance. The wall is the obvious hoof when the horse is standing. It is subdivided into the dorsal, medial (inner side), lateral (outer side) palmar and solar aspects. The function of the wall is to act as a protective wrapping over the inner foot’s delicate structures. It also acts to dissipate the energy stresses that are placed on the hoof during every moment. The bulbs are the bald areas on the plantar �������������������������������������������� Owner operated, we offer 24-hour coverage of your horse in a secure and safe environment. We also offer retirement plans for elderly or compromised horses. Let us make a difference with your horse. 72 www.EliteEquestrian.us surface that are roundish knob like areas. They are somewhat flexible in nature and are separated from the pastern skin by the coronet and are somewhat continuous with the periople area. Divided by a groove that becomes more noticeable as it nears the frog area, their flexibility allows the foot to change shape when pressure is applied such as in weight bearing maneuvers. UNDER SURFACE OF THE HOOF The sole of the hoof is the space between the hoof wall and bars. It is the largest part of the underside of the hoof and its purpose is to weight bear when the horse is on softer ground that conforms to the hoof. The bars are extensions of the hoof wall that turn back toward the toe of the hoof. These areas serve as springs when the hoof bears weight. The frog occupies the space between the heel of the foot and the bars. It is divided into 2 parts by a groove like area or cleft running from front to back. The frog is triangular in shape and its functional ability is dependent on the water content. Similar to the bulbs, it is involved with the biomechanical springability. PART 1 ������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Phantom Brook Farm offers assisted veterinary care/convalescent services as directed by your own veterinarian and performed by a certified veterinary technician. Those services include but are not limited to: • Wound care • Foaling and mare care • Hand walking • Leg injuries • Clinical lab test performed on site • Medication dosing • Ice water system therapy • Postoperative care • Lay-ups • Eye treatments • In-stall camera monitoring Joe and Marilyn Heath, CVT, MS 203 Washburn Ave. Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 689-4428 www.phantombrookfarm.com pbfarm@comcast.net
20481EE
To see the actual publication please follow the link above