Hoof

The hoof is a horn structure which surrounds the distal phalange in odd-toed ungulates. The term is usually used for the Zehenendorgan of horses, donkeys and zebras; in artiodactyls is called claws. Anatomically corresponds to the hoof to the human fingernail. The foot is a modified outer skin, wherein the lower skin lacks except in the area of the pad and the highly keratinized epidermis.

The hoof of the horse is of central importance to his health. He must bear the weight of the horse and cushion the shock effect of each step and jump to avoid permanent damage to the joints. Furthermore, it enhances the blood flow to the toe end organ under load. In essence, the hoof from the front relatively rigid part, which ensures a firm stand, and the rear flexible member which is primarily responsible for the shock refraction.

Construction

Skeleton

For the skeleton surrounded by the hoof toe end you count the coffin bone (Os ungulare ), the navicular bone ( distal sesamoid bone ) and the lower portion of the middle phalanx (os coronal ).

Pads ( subcutaneous )

A lower skin ( subcutaneous ) is not formed on the most parts or identical to the bone skin ( periosteum ). Only in some places it is thickened to pads ( cushions). They are made of soft connective tissue derbfaserigem.

• The digital cushion or pad between the two cartilages, with which it is connected by lateral adhesions. The beam fills in the ball pit, and causes the Auffußen the horse that the cartilages move upwards and thereby bring the hoof mechanism in motion.
• The Kronpolster located under the dermis in the area of ​​Kronrands.
• The ball pad closes back -up to the digital cushion and absorbs the bale.

Dermis

The corium one hand provides for the connection to the coffin bone and thus the fixed tie of the hoof capsule to the skeleton and one for the growth of the hoof capsule forming the hoof horn. Since the hoof at various points of the foot exerts different functions, and therefore, also has different structures, a distinction is made, the following six kinds of the dermis.

Saumlederhaut, limbic corium

The Saumlederhaut is the transition of the normal skin of the horse's leg in the Kronlederhaut. It is only about five millimeters wide and the corresponding epidermis forms the relatively soft horn of the Saumbandes - this is the narrow upper edge of the hoof capsule - the somewhat narrower than the subsequent hoof wall.

Kronlederhaut, corium coronae

The Kronlederhaut is an annular bead below the Saumbandes and carries a few millimeters long villi. The associated epidermis forms the horn of the hoof wall - this is the area surrounding the hoof side of the hoof horn. The hoof is in this case, similar to the human fingernail, continuously formed and pushed down to replace abraded hoof horn. The growth rate is approximately eight to ten millimeter per month.

The wall corium is the Kronlederhaut continued downward and represents the largest surface area of the entire dermis; they have per hoof an area of ​​about one square meter and, through its structure leaves the firm support of the hoof wall at the foot secure. As a velcro it forms a sliding compound which nevertheless ensures excellent grip.

Corium, corium soleare

The corium in turn, contributes short villi and covers the lower part of the coffin bone and ensures the growth of the hard part of the sole horn.

Frog corium, corium cunei

The frog corium is ultimately responsible for the production of elastic beam horn and also encloses the digital cushion.

Ball dermis, corium tori

Hoof capsule

The hoof capsule is made of the hoof wall, which includes the hoof side, the sole of the hoof, the hard part of the sole that completes him to the ground and the hoof, the soft part of the sole. The bottom-side edge of the hoof wall, the so-called ground surface, and the sole of the hoof are represented by the white line (zona alba) separately, and then advises the blacksmith, where he can hit nails without damaging the delicate dermis. The upper edge of the hoof capsule is the coronet, which passes over the narrow Saumsegment in the normal hairy skin.

The hoof wall is divided into three sections from front to rear. The front portion is toe, the center is called the right and left side wall and the rear portion is heel.

Navicular

As navicular navicular bone and its lower joint surface, the deep flexor tendon and the navicular bursa ( navicular bursa ) are referred to. In particular, when rolling the hoof occur very heavy loads here. Disorders are common and occur almost before only to the front limbs.

Hoof mechanism

Under the hoof mechanism refers to the elastic response of the hoof to load. Contrary to the first impression one has of a horse's hoof, this is by no means rigid, but flexible response to stress. When putting the hoof, the front Kronbeinrand is pulled back down and the bales are pushed apart, so that the beam has contact to the ground and thus can pass on to the underlying nerve endings in the dermis information about the soil. By the contraction of the bales in relief an effect is triggered as a suction pump, which ensures the good circulation of the foot and at high loads a significant proportion of the total blood flow to the legs. Therefore, it is spoken in the hooves and by the four additional heart of the horse.

Fohlenhuf

To avoid damage to the mare in the body with hard hooves, foal have a soft protective skin on the sole of the hoof, which only hardens during the first days after birth and then expired with time. Since the hoof in foals is also much narrower than it is afterwards to be the adult horse and the hoof does not grow in width, but only can outgrow down, you can at hooves of young animals always see margins below which the hooves are narrower, since again a growth spurt has begun, and the Kronlederhaut was extended by it.

Hoof Care

Before and after work, the hooves are scraped in horse care. To avoid inflammation and bruising of the hoof is regularly on foreign bodies, such as occurred stones checked. For the health of the hoof is a healthy food and a clean box of high importance. Too much ammonia through urine in the litter, dirt and water often lead to thrush.

Hoof

The horse as a house and farm animal does not move as it is the case in the natural freedom. Therefore hoof growth and Hufabrieb no longer match. If the abrasion is too strong, the hoof must be protected with horseshoes, plastic fittings or horseshoe; in the opposite case the farrier or another professional has to correct the hooves. In addition, misalignments of the horse, which would lead to premature wear of the joints are detected and corrected. Each hoof can restrict the hoof mechanism. A horse needs every 4-8 weeks for the farrier.