21/07/2026
White line disease up close- islands of crumbling hoof wall.
Notice the non pigmented wall that’s nearer the coronary band is fractured, like islands. That’s the appearance of microbes digesting the keratin. Keratin is essential structure that keeps the wall functioning correctly. As it is digested the wall crumbles.
If the paddock muck (the black plug) is not removed, there is no point squirting a treatment up into the hole. It can’t get to the active part where the microbes are digesting wall and multiplying uncontrollably.
Many owners religiously treat white line disease but it often a complete ware of time and money as the treatments can’t get to where it is needed.
The disease can be very high up and it also digests horn medial to lateral.
In the olden days this was called ‘hollow hoof’ as it made a hollow sound when tapped.
The photo is a sagittal section of the toe.
Please share and let’s try and help others that don’t realise how awful this condition is.
Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my equine study - see comments for details.
