Page 197 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
P. 197
VetBooks.ir
Figure 6.3 Hoof ring due to nutritional change
THE SOLE
The function of the sole is to protect the underlying sensitive structures and to help support
the weight of the horse. Its concave shape ensures that on a firm surface, only the outer rim
bears the horse’s weight.
The thickness and concavity of the sole vary between individual horses. Some have very
thin, flat soles that are more prone to puncture wounds and bruising than those with thick,
concave soles. A thin-soled horse will be more sensitive and sore when moving on stony
ground.
The area of sole in the angle between the outer hoof wall and the bars is known as the
seat of corn. The junction between the sole and the hoof wall is called the white line. This
narrow ring of soft, unpigmented horn is a useful landmark for the farrier. It shows the
