Advanced Case of White Line Disease

White Line Disease

Although not as prevalent in Maryland as in other hotter, more humid parts of the country such as the south east and mid west, white line disease (sometimes referred to as seedy toe), can affect horses in this area. 

 It is not truly a disease, rather an infection.  There’s some dispute as to whether the infective organisms are bacterial, fungal, or a combination of both.  To you as a horse owner, it’s more important for you to recognize and treat it before it spreads and becomes a serious problem. 

 White line disease typically starts with a mechanical failure of the white line.  The white line is responsible for the rigid connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.  Once there’s tearing, and weakening of this area, small spaces and cavities become perfect breeding grounds for fungal or bacterial organisms that are commonly present in the soil. The moist, dark, airless space further provides a perfect medium for fungal and bacterial growth.

 The first sign of WLD is most readily observed by your farrier during a routine visit.  With the shoe off, and the hoof trimmed, you may see a small dark, crumbly spot in the white line area.  At this point, your farrier can trim out the infected wall and white line, opening the area and exposing it to oxygen. Unchecked, white line disease is progressive, with the anaerobic organisms further  invading the tissues of the hoof. This invasion can create an internal gallery, or void in the hoof wall.  It can take months or even years for the hoof to recover.  Once the “seedy” spot is trimmed out, it’s beneficial to apply an antifungal, antibacterial product, such as Keratex Hoof Putty, Mersol, or iodine everyday for 7-10 days and then once per week until a follow up visit with your farrier. 

 There are a few things you can do to prevent white line disease.  For example; Proper trimming and shoeing by your farrier will minimize undue or uneven stresses on the hoof wall resulting in laminar damage.  Keeping your stalls and paddocks clean will help reduce the pool of fungal and bacterial agents.  These organisms are commonly concentrated in wet, churned-up, manure-laden mud areas like the ones often found around the pasture gate, where horses congregate frequently.  Covering this area with clean gravel helps keep hooves dry and clean, keeping fungus and bacteria at bay. 

Managing White Line Disease is a matter of early detection and treatment, before significant structural damage occurs.  Early treatment can reduce or eliminate the threat of lameness, and avoid a protracted and expensive recovery period.

For more information please contact us at (301) 416-0043 or email us at Farrier@andrewgrimm.net.