HOOF, there it is! Part 1 Anatomy
Can you identify the three regions of the hoof below?
In our Your Stories tab, we introduced you to Tom Holst, farrier to the stars and the rest of us. We learned that farriers want us to engage with them as a member of our horse’s healthcare team. This includes elevating our hoof education and the role feet play in the overall wellbeing of our horses.
We are launching our ‘Hoof, there it is!” educational series with an exploration of the feet for the everyday owner. This will include anatomy, issues, solutions and maximizing performance. If you have any questions for Tom, let us know!
Were you able to name the three regions of the hoof? Learning the names of structures or components within the hoof is the first step in elevating the conversation with our farrier and veterinarian. The picture above separates the hoof into three regions called the toe, the quarter, and the heel.
The next photo shows the outside of the hoof. Can you name the structures?
1. Heel bulb - the soft tissue found at the back of the heel.
2. and 6. are periople which is a soft rubbery epidermis where the skin joins the hoof like our cuticle.
3. Heel - note the actual location vs the heel bulb
4. Quarter region
5. Toe region
7. Coronary band.
Try viewing the foot from the bottom. Can you name these parts?
1. Frog- This is a rubbery wedge-shaped structure positioned between the bars.
2. Bars- There are two bars on each hoof. They are on either side of the frog.
3. Sole- The sole covers the bottom of the foot.
4. White line- This is actually an inter-connected lamina that you can see but is yellowish, not white!
5. Walls- Walls are the same basic structure as your finger and toenails.
At this point, we've covered the major structures of the foot that can be seen from the outside. Take a look at this diagram on the left. Understanding the interplay of bones, tendons and the foot will serve us well in future discussions with our healthcare providers.
Was this article helpful? Let us know and share with a friend!! Maybe you learned something new. Or maybe it was a good refresher. Either way, knowledge is power, and being educated allows us to better serve our horses.
