One important area of the sole is the “white line,” which may actually be somewhat yellow in color. The sole also helps to protect the inner workings of the hoof, and is designed to bear internal weight transferred through the border of the sole rather than weight from the ground. The structure of the sole is similar to that of the hoof wall however, the keratin found in the sole is more easily rubbed or worn down than that found in the hoof wall. The sole is the underside of the hoof, but most of it does not make contact with the ground because it is a bit concave. These laminae bear much of the weight of the horse. This extra “give” allows the inner wall to expand a bit with movement and absorb shock, protecting the vital inner parts of the hoof.The inner wall supports a multitude of leaf-like laminae, which attach the coffin bone to the inside of the hoof wall. The inner wall of the hoof is more pliable than the hard outer wall. The soft area is made up of newly formed hoof wall tissue, and the periople helps give it time to harden.
The periople covers the soft area just below the coronary band and helps protect the hoof wall. Injury to the coronary band can result in damage to the hoof wall or disrupt proper hoof growth to the point where the horse may no longer be rideable. Although its structure is tough, it also contains a large blood supply. It is the primary growth and nutritional source for the hoof wall.
This band encircles the top of the hoof wall and is usually light in color. The coronary band is at the top of the hoof wall where the hairline meets the hoof. Rings on the hoof can indicate that the horse may have some additional health problems that are affecting his hooves, so your veterinarian should be consulted. Cracks can make the internal structures vulnerable to potentially damaging substances, like gravel or germs. Healthy hooves should not have any cracks or rings. If a horse damages the internal structures of the hoof, it can cause a lameness. The hoof wall is an inflexible surface and cannot expand when an injury causes the tissues inside to swell. Farriers will confirm that the quality of the hoof is not affected by its color all four hooves on a horse are structurally designed the same. While there is some belief that black hooves are stronger than white hooves, that’s just a myth. The hoof wall can either be black or white. A healthy hoof wall grows about 3/8 of an inch per month.
The hoof wall does not have nerves or blood vessels it’s a continually growing, keratinous material that needs to be trimmed or naturally worn off. This is the hard, horny outer covering that houses and protects the more delicate structures within, supports the weight of the horse and absorbs shock as the horse moves. The first part of the hoof that you see is the hoof wall. The hoof can be broken into three different areas for better understanding of its structures and purposes: outside, underside and inside.
It’s made up of several different parts, all serving a different purpose, yet working in symmetry to keep the horse sound and healthy. The equine hoof is extremely complex, but you wouldn’t know that just by looking at it. Without solid, sound feet, you have no horse, so understanding hoof anatomy is extremely important. A horse’s hooves play a key role in its ability to survive and function. Consider the size and weight of a horse relative to the size of a hoof, and how fast horses can run or how high they can jump it’s amazing how so much is supported by so little. The equine hoof is a great example of Mother Nature’s engineering capabilities.