structure of hoof

Coronary plexus Any pigmentation in the hoof will be most pronounced in the outer part of the hoof wall as the deeper layers of the hoof usually contain fewer melanocytes. Between the crus and bar of each half of the sole lies the collateral sulcus.

It is stabilised by the medial and lateral collateral ligaments which form part of the joint capsule, connecting the distal end of Pll with the proximal edge of the The annular ligament has its origins on the medial and lateral surfaces of distal Pl. Horse Hooves: Inner structures The part of the hoof that can be seen to the eye, surrounds the internal structures of the hoof.

The area where the bars and wall enclose it is known as the angle of the sole. It is this unpigmented element of the hoof that forms the 'white line' in the sole of hoofs and is particularly important in horses as a landmark for shoeing. The annular ligament has its origins on the medial and lateral surfaces of distal Pl. This in turn results in the hoof wall separating from the distal phalanx producing the disease termed “laminitis”, which can be either acute or chronic. It is strong, durable yet surprisingly flexible in order to accommodate for the constant expansion and contraction involved in locomotion.The tapered bars become increasingly more weight bearing  as the foot is loaded. Since the sole is slightly concave, the majority of the horse's weight is transferred through the margin of the sole.

Without going into great detail I want to simply outline the basics of how the horse's hoof is structured.

The digit of the forelimb is innervated by the medial and lateral digital nerves. It acts as one of the major shock absorbers of the foot. Neither of these laminae are pigmented so when the epidermal laminae appear on the solar surface, a non-pigmented region known as the white line appears.

The bars, although moving cranially, gradually fade along the edge of the frog and never actually meet. Post was not sent - check your email addresses!

Thus, isolated specimens of equine feet can be distinguished as follows:

5. Circulation of blood to and from the hoof is dependent on: Activity Hoof balance Nutrition Horses are designed to be in a constantly moving state, which promotes good circulation.

The frog is a mass of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which is softer than other parts of the hoof due to its increased water content. 2. The pelvic limb digit is innervated on the dorsal aspect by the common digital nn.

Assessment of the external anatomy can be a used as an important part of a lameness examination. which branch from the sapheneous a. The terminal branches of the main vessels finally enter a bony canal in the distal phalanx. The pigmentation of the hoof is derived from melanocytes found in the coronary epidermis. Certain systemic pathologies may result in opening of these AV anastomoses resulting in ischaemia of the laminae. Usually, the frog contributes to the weightbearing surface where it functions as a shock absorber. These run on the palmar aspect of the digit in close proximity to the main arteries and veins. A horse hoof is a structure surrounding the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit (digit III of the basic pentadactyl limb of vertebrates, evolved into a single weight-bearing digit in equids) of each of the four limbs of Equus species, which is covered by complex soft tissue and keratinised (cornified) structures. Front: The angle between the toe and the ground is approximately 45 degrees.

The ruminant hoof, although resembling the equine hoof in some characteristics, differs from the equine hoof in several ways. Damage to the vasculature of the laminar corium can result in compromises in the integrity of the interdigitations.

The equine sole has a central frog structure whilst ruminants and pigs have a bulb structure to the sole. The inside of the hoof is comprised of three bones: coffin bone, navicular bone, and short pastern bone.

The hooves in newborn foals are bilaterally symmetrical. Finally, there is an inner laminar layer where there are interdigitating laminae of horn and dermal laminae which ensure the hoof itself is firmly anchored to the distal phalanx. The frog is a wedge-shaped structure which sits between the bars and has an apex facing distally, with 2 crura flanking a central sulcus.

The majority of the horses, shod or barefoot, weight is supported by the hoof wall. Quarters (lateral and medial walls) are steeper on the medial side of the hoof. The periople represents the junction between the wall and the skin of the limb. The digital arteries give rise to numerous branches forming rich networks for the vascular tissues. Terminal arch The wall forms the medial, lateral and dorsal aspect of the hoof and it can be further divided into the toe, quarters and heels.

The structure of hoof horn has been previously studied in different species.

The frog corium overlies the digital cushion and generates the specialised soft epidermal tissues of the frog. Venous drainage is similar with the most distal vessels being the medial and lateral palmar/plantar digital veins. hoof and its structures have to assist in this mechanism.