XL Vets equine factsheets

The white line is seen on the underside of the foot. It is where the unpigmented horn of the inner hoof wall joins the horn of the sole. Degeneration of the horn at the white line leads to separation of the hoof wall from the underlying structures and weakening of the hoof wall. A combination of infectious, mechanical, nutritional and environmental factors have been implicated in causing the problem. Small or large areas of the white line can be involved. Where the toe region only is involved the condition can be called ‘seedy toe’