Hoof Anatomy

The hoof is a perfectly designed organ to support the horse. Let’s review some basic anatomy of the hoof. We will start with the inside of the hoof. The coffin bone got its name because it is encapsulated by the hoof. It is also referred to as P3. Above P3 is P2. Above P2 is P1. The navicular bone is a long, skinny bone that lies in the crease between P3 and P2 in the back of the foot. The deep digital flexor tendon is attached to the coffin bone (P3) and runs up the outside of the navicular bone and up the back of the horse’s leg. The digital cushion is a fatty substance in the back of the foot that acts as a shock absorber. The lamina is similar to Velcro and attaches the coffin bone to the hoof wall. On the outside, we have the hoof wall, the hard, keratinous shell that protects the inside components. Underneath the foot, the sole is the protection for the under side of the coffin bone. The frog is the triangular calloused material that helps with shock absorption. The bars run along side of the frog and are an extension of the hoof wall. They help support the coffin bone from underneath.