XL Vets equine factsheets

A keratoma is a type of benign tumour that grows inside the foot. It originates from the horn producing cells, usually underneath the coronet, and grows down the foot with the normal hoof. When they reach the white line area at the toe, they cause separation of the bond between the hoof wall and sole. Once bacteria penetrate the foot, an abscess forms. Typically, the abscess will look like any other foot abscess and will initially be treated in the normal way by opening it to allow drainage and poulticing the foot. An underlying keratoma will always cause the abscess to recur.