Animal Health & Welfare

The white line is the site at which the horn of the outer wall of the hoof joins that of the sole. It is a naturally weak area in the horn and there are two different problems which can occur here, both eventually leading to lameness:

Toe Abscesses

Toe abscesses occur when infection develops at a point somewhere along the while line. Pus forms under the wall of the hoof and the animal becomes acutely lame. The affected claw can be identified by a pain response when it is manipulated.

Careful paring of the sole will usually reveal a dark mark at some point along the white line. If not treated, the pus eventually bursts out at the coronary band and the animal gradually recovers, although its welfare and performance are likely to have suffered during this time.  

Shelly Hoof

Shelly hoof is a more extensive degradation of the white line. The hoof wall becomes separated and forms a pocket which becomes impacted with dirt and other debris. If the loose horn is not pared away, some cases can progress to the stage where a large semi-circular area of the horn wall is detached, impacted debris is forced into deeper tissues, pus forms and the sheep becomes lame. As occurs with a toe abscess, the pus eventually bursts at the coronary band and recovery gradually follows.

Treatment

Both of these causes of lameness respond to paring. For more information, click on the 'Paring' tab in the menu to the left.

To download the Defra booklet on Lameness in Sheep, use the link to the right