1 Hoof wall
The hard outer part of the hoof that carries weight and shields the sensitive tissue inside.
Where is it?
The outer, visible rim all the way around the hoof, from the coronet down to the ground.
What does it do?
The wall grows down from the coronet at roughly 6 to 9 mm a month, so a whole hoof is renewed in about a year. It carries most of the weight and protects the bones and sensitive tissue inside.
What to look for
A smooth, slightly glossy wall with fine vertical growth lines. Clear rings or cracks are a reason to have the farrier or vet take a look.
Discover more
Sources: British Horse Society · Extension Horses (US land-grant universities) · Cornell Cooperative Extension.