Hoof masses

Masses within the hoof

The most common mass within the hoof is a keratoma. These typically grow as a cylindrical mass from the coronary band, down into the hoof, beneath the hoof wall. The space occupying mass causes lameness, deviation of the white line and recurrent abscesses. Removal is recommended and has a good long term prognosis. Removal can be done standing or under GA. Both options require special farrier work postoperatively (heart bar shoes, wooden clogs) and horses can have marked lameness and exuberant granulation tissue formation; surgery should be performed in a referral center or hospital environment.

Hoof wall masses removal in 30 standing sedated horses: Surgical technique, postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Veterinary Surgery. 2025;54:77–88.

Masses on the frog

The most common cause of frog masses is canker.

Retrospective study on 30 horses with chronic proliferative pododermatitis (canker). EVE 2011, Vol.23(9), pp.466-471.

Complications of Equine Musculoskeletal Surgery and Procedures. Vet Clin Equine 41 (2025) 545–561