ONE of the most important, but often neglected, structures of the horse’s hoof is the frog. It should be wide and substantial, and made up of thick, leathery material. An unhealthy frog is vulnerable to infection, which untreated can lead to significant loss of structure in the back of the hoof, causing severe lameness.

The frog works symbiotically with the coronet band, the bars and the sole, to provide resistance to distortion of the hoof capsule during the stride. Pressure placed upon the frog directly influences the health of the digital cushion above it.