White Line Disease in Horses

Therapy of white line disease is directed at protecting and unloading the damaged section of the foot with therapeutic shoeing combined with resectioning the hoof capsule that overlays the affected area. The debridement should be continued proximally and marginally until there is a solid attachment between the hoof wall and external lamellae.

Treatment with topical medications after hoof wall resection is done with disinfectants/astringents such as methiolate or 2% iodine. These act as a good disinfectant but may have more benefits as a dye marker to outline the remaining tracts. The above preparations should be applied at most twice weekly to make the exposed laminae manageable. Thorough exploration and debridement of any remaining tracts should take place at 2-week intervals.