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all around the Equine Hooves

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The Hoof

The hoof of the Soliped (horse, mule, donkey, zebra etc.) has evolved out of the toed foot-like structure familiar to other mammals, such as humans. The "middle finger/toe" is the sole remaining digit,with the other digits having been transformed into either parts of the Splint Bones, whilst others made their way to constitute part of the Cannon Bone

Griffelbeine - Splint bone (4th metacarpal)

Mittelfussknochen (Röhrbein) - Cannon bone (3rd metacarpal)

Gleichbeine - Sesamoid bones (Proximal sesamoids)

Fesselbein - Long pastern (Proximal phalanx)

Kronbein - short pastern(Middlephalanx)

Hufbein - pedal bone (Distal phalanx)

The latter is joined with the Long Pastern Bone at an angle to provide weight bearing support. To help support this joint, two Sesam Bones have symmetrically developed posterior to this angle, and are held into place with the help of thick ligaments. The Long Pastern, Short Pastern, and Pedal Bones or Coffin Bones resembles the format of our fingers, while the Navicular Bone is a "helper-bone" which aids in the effective connection of the hoof joint to the ligaments. This sits in a small mucous sack, which lubricates the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon, which is attached to the inferior, posterior end of the Pedal Bone. This region is so-called Hoof-role. The primary hoof-bone, the Pedal-Bone is encapsulated on all sides by the Hoof-Wall. The rough structure of the Laminar Corium, which also excretes/builds the (Horn/Cornical), binds the Horn to the Pedal Bone. This understandably has a rich vasculature and is so-called "Living-Centre" of the hoof. This Corium consists of five seperate zones,which essentially binnd the hoof together and have a localised effect on the consistency and adhesion of the hoof wall.

These zones are as follows:

Corium of Periople - has the most superior location, and excretes the Horn in the region of the Periople; which builds the bridge between the hair of the leg, and the Horn of the Hoof.

Coronary Corium - it´s primary function is to excrete the Horn of the Hoof

Laminar Corium - this is a "laminar structured skin" which binds the horn with the Coffin Bone, and enables the greatest possible surface area to be covered. It "grows" with the Stratum Interium from the Corium down to where it forms the "White Line".

Solar Corium - excretes the Horn in this region.

Frog Corium - excretes the soft Frog, and in the posterior region of the Bulb, binds with the Periople Corium.

One of the most important features of the horse shoe is it´s shock absorbing properties, which is commonly envisaged as the Hoof Mechanism.

With downward pressure on Hoof, created by the treading of the horse, the upper part of the Hoof Wall sinks a little with the Sole, which brings the Frog into full contact with the ground; thus ensuring the establishment of a reciprocal pressure.

The Frog transfers the pressure to the Hoof Capsule, which restricted in it`s direction of movement as a result of the downward weight, has no other alternative but to flex laterally. The paired posteriorly located Bars at the Bulb of the Heel also spread laterally.With the release of this downward pressure,occuring when the Horse starts to lift it`s leg, the natural elasticity of the Hoof structures allows the flexing of the Hoof back to it´s primary state.
The Hoof Mechanism can thus be seen as a transferance of weight and pressure in the Hoof structure in order to dampen the shock of the natural stepping action; while simultaneously through a pump-action mechanism, to have an influence on the circulation of blood through the Hoof Corium. This is vital for ensuring the quality and growth of the Hoof Horn Structure.

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