5 White line
The softer band where the hoof wall and sole meet, the seam between outside and inside.
Where is it?
As a narrow ring just inside the edge of the wall, all the way around the underside of the hoof.
What does it do?
The white line binds the wall to the sole and keeps dirt and bacteria out. If it widens or crumbles it can signal white line disease, and it is worth having it assessed.
What to look for
A thin, slightly softer line that is often paler or more yellow than the horn around it.
Discover more
Sources: British Horse Society · Extension Horses (US land-grant universities) · The Open Sanctuary Project.