The pathology of the locomotor apparatus in the horse is a good part of the work that the clinical veterinarian specialist do and has become increasingly important when it comes to racing.  Given that the center of gravity is displaced cranially in horses, around 65% of the weight of the animals forelegs support it and is therefore around 85% of total lameness that will affect the earlier train. Of this percentage that can be seen , 70% will be due to lameness affecting the structures contained in the hoof.  It is therefore an anatomical region of great importance that requires sport medicines.

The hoof is a continuation of the epidermis of the coronet.  At this point the dermis of the skin is continued with the dermis (corium) of the hoof,  in this region where the hoof is located it is called the perioplic corium, coronary, laminar (or lamellar) of the frog and solar corium .

The hoof protects the internal structures and acts by dispelling the impact produced when hitting the ground during movement. The solar surface of the hoof on the legs is wider than in the later, reflecting the difference in shape of the distal surface of the third phalanx.

The exploration of the hoof should start with a simple inspection that will allow us to determine its shape, size and location relative to the axis of the limb (poise). Thus we can value any tupe of injury such as wounds, quarter cracks, foreign bodies, Palpation is important in determining the presence of increased temperature reflecting in inflammatory processes. Palpation also helps to explore the coronary border of the heel region.

The application of pressure (used for this exploration we use hoof testing forceps that allows us to locate delimit or trigger points within the hoof.  The foreceps are also used to strike the top of the wall and sole to determine sensitivity.

Of all the additional screening tests the most widely used are conduction anesthetics, intraarticular anesthesia and radiology.  

We begin first by using neuro blocks  in small regions to diagnose the lateral branches and the medial palm digital nerve (or sole).  Within moments it determines the height of the heels or pastern and finally half the height of the proximal sesamoid (abaxial). Just like intraarticular blocks in the region of the hoof anastesia is used in the interphalangeal articular joint and in specific cases we anesthetize the Podotrochlear apparatus.

Appropriate Radiographic views  used depending on these cases are:

-View LM
-Palmarodistal dorsoproximal-oblique view 65 °
-Palmarodistal palmaroproximal oblique view (sky line)
-Palmaromedial Dorsolateral oblique 65 º
-Palmarolateral dorsomedial oblique 65 º
*Other tests that currently apply to the diagnosis of the condition of the hoof are ultrasound, scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy.

CORONITIS
Inflammation of the coronary band is usually the result of a systemic disease. It occurs infrequently and usually accompanies febrile processes or laminitis boxes.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

-  Normally it usually affects two or more hooves, showing initial inflammation of the coronary band with production of exudate and pain.
- During a period of 7-14 days it can produce a complete separation of the hoof wall of the coronary band.