what is horse hoof made of

A horses hoof is a complex structure that is both hard and flexible. It is made up of two parts: the outer part, called the hoof capsule, and the inner, living part of the hoof. The hoof capsule is the exterior part of the hoof that can be seen and encases the internal structures offering a hard layer of protection. It is composed of various cornified specialized structures and is made up of a tough material called keratin that has a low moisture content, making it very hard and durable. The inner, living part of the hoof is made up of soft tissues and bone. The wall of the hoof is composed of a horny material that is produced continuously and must be worn off or trimmed off. The hoof wall does not contain blood vessels or nerves. The wall is thickest at the toe in the front feet and of a more uniform thickness in the hind feet. The wall, bars, and frog are the weight-bearing structures of the foot. The sole is located underneath the horses foot and is also made up of horn. Its a tough structure that provides protection to the internal, sensitive parts of the hoof. The sole is usually slightly curved and shouldnt come into contact with the ground. This helps absorb concussive forces as the shape allows the hoof to expand when weight-bearing and contract when lifted.