Hoof Anatomy
Looking at your Equine's Hoof from the inside out by Shaun Petrie, Farrier
Ever wonder what the inside of the hoof looks like? What bones, cartilage and tendons make up the hoof? Learn what is behind the hoof wall with a live hoof dissection and discover the structure of the hoof and the essential care it requires.
Shaun discussed the internal hoof structure that forms the foundation of the visible, non-living parts of the hoof. By examining the solar corium, tendons and laminae during a live dissection, he aimed to help you understand the hoof anatomy, his role as a farrier, and the reasons behind the work farriers do.
First slide is parts of the hoof. His main point is the central sulcus which is prone to bacteria and thrush.
Second slide is picture of the hoof and the angles of how farriers trim.
Third slide is sensitive structures, and bones. What bones make the lower leg and hoof itself: the cannon bone, the long pastern, the short pastern, the coffin bone, the sesamoid bone and the navicular bone.
Fourth slide is collateral ligaments. Ligaments help support bone and suspend. It also shows joints and muscles. Muscles and tendons are connected to the bones which help extend or flex the leg. There are four tendons, common digital extensor, extensor process, deep digital flexor tendon, suspensory ligament.
Fifth slide is blood flow supply: arteries, veins, and nerves. Arteries supply rich blood oxygen to the hoof and veins take it back. Nerves help the foot feel pain. It helps horses know and feel where their leg is.
Sixth slide is internal hoof. The sensitive structure itself.
Seventh slide is live structures: what the internal hoof looks like.
PLEASE DO….
- Keep the hoof clean and dry as much as possible
- Pick your horse's hoof every day to help with abscesses, keep bacteria away and stones that may be stuck in the hoof
Abscess can grow while the hoof is wet and when the hoof becomes dry the abscess is trapped and fester. They can be caused by stone bruise, concussion, bacteria which can start in medial heal and can blow out in the lateral heal . Abscess comes out the softest part of the hoof
Shaun's Favorite Treatments
- Epsom salt soaks - abscess
- 3M Animalintex Poultice Pad - pulls out bacteria and thrush plus many other injuries
- White Lightening - kills bacterial for white line disease, thrush and hoof rot
- Cleantrax medicating boot
- Iodine + sugar makes a pack to put on hoof to dry and harden
- Turpentine - hoof toughener & disinfectant antibacterial agent
- Today Mastitis treatment - for thrush
- Horses hit plateaus to supplements and ointments. Switch hoof products every 6 months.
LIVE DISSECTION PHOTOS (graphic in nature)
Points to cover during the live dissection: The solar corium, and what makes up the dead hoof of what we see, how the abscesses get stuck between the solar corium and the wall and point out the navicular bone, the dispensary ligaments and how it affects the pathology and problems we get in the hoof today.
Please watch the video to understand this seminar,the slides and the anatomy of the hoof.
** This blog is for informational learning purposes only. Please contact your veterinarian if your horse has any signs of chronic or continued hoof issues.
