07/09/2026
Farriers are invaluable partners in equine veterinary medicine. When veterinarians and farriers work together, great things happen!
This mare first presented with a hoof concern about four months ago. Interestingly, she wasn't lame, and radiographs at that time were unremarkable.
At her routine trim just 10 days ago, her farrier, Ingrid, discovered significant separation at the white line. Today, Dr. Baird and Dr. Hartman met with Ingrid for a more extensive diagnostic workup.
New radiographs revealed a significant gas pocket and separation within the hoof wall, but still didn't provide a definitive diagnosis. The leading possibilities were severe white line disease or a keratoma. Together, the team decided a hoof wall resection was the best next step.
During the procedure, it became clear that the hoof wall had completely separated from the underlying laminae, and the outer layer of what should have been healthy, sensitive laminae was no longer viable. As the resection progressed, the evidence increasingly pointed toward severe white line disease rather than a keratoma.
Removing the diseased hoof wall allows the affected area to be exposed to oxygen and air, an important part of treatment since many white line infections involve anaerobic bacteria. It also provides direct access for ongoing treatment while allowing healthy hoof to begin growing back.
Once the resection was complete, Ingrid custom-built and applied a bar shoe with clips to provide stability to the hoof capsule. When this much hoof wall is removed, maintaining structural support is essential for a successful recovery.
Over the next nine months, this mare's hoof will gradually regrow. Her prognosis is good, and she should be able to continue in light work throughout the healing process.
Cases like this are a perfect reminder that the best outcomes happen when veterinarians and farriers combine their knowledge and expertise. It truly is a team effort, and our patients are the ones who benefit most.
