White line disease is thought to be caused by bacteria and fungi that invade the white line (laminae) encapsulating the hoof. To put it simply, white line disease eats away at the laminae creating holes and cavities inside the hoof wall. This creates weakness in the foot causing hoof wall tearing and separation. The compromised hoof does not have the strength and structural integrity to hold the horses’ weight. And because the hoof wall supports most of the horses’ weight rather than the foot sole, hoof wall separation can quickly lead to other serious lameness issues such as laminitis or founder.

If left untreated, white line disease in horses can cause painful laminitis allowing the coffin bone to separate from the laminae. In extreme laminitis cases, the coffin bone can rotate so much that it penetrates the sole because the hoof has lost its internal connectivity and support system.

B Gone White Line Treatment works by stopping pathogens from further damaging healthy hoof wall tissue. This allows the horses’ coronary band, where new hoof wall tissue forms, to grow out at the rate of 1/4" to 5/8” per month. The new growth pushes the damaged hoof wall down where it is trimmed away by the farrier.

The hoof wall is just like your finger nail which is made up of dead cells that cannot heal. If your finger nail becomes damaged, the damaged area does not regrow. Rather, new cells in the cuticle grow out so the older damaged cells get trimmed off when your finger nails get long.

Scenario #1: It’s time to shoe the horse. You pull the shoes, trim the feet and shape the shoes. Just when you are ready to nail one on, you notice a small cavity just inside the white line. Picking it with a nail shows a white, powdery substance coming out. You scratch some more and your nail goes part way up the hoof wall. Chances are you’re looking at WLD.

Scenario #2: Pulling the shoes, you notice hoof wall separation where the sole meets the hoof wall. Probing with a nail you notice that separation goes much higher up the hoof wall. Chances are you’re looking at white line disease.  

Scenario #3: The owner reports on and off lameness. The feet and shoes look good and so do the legs. You do a hoof test with testers but nothing shows up. Tapping on the hoof wall reveals a suspicious hollow sound. The vet’s called in to shoot some radiographs that reveal a cavity in the hoof wall. You may be looking at white line disease.

No one knows for sure. But studies indicate white line disease is caused by different organisms that live in your horses’ environment. Researchers are unable to isolate which organisms cause the disease. The infection can occur in any type of hoof condition. It does not appear to be predisposed to poor barn hygiene. For example, one horse in the barn may be affected while the others do not even though all are kept in the best stall conditions.

White line disease appears on the white line or laminae. You can see the white line looking at the sole of the horse. White line disease has a chalky, almost white powdery look to it. When you scrape it with a nail or probe, it will start to disintegrate. White line disease can run up the laminae parallel with the hoof wall often going high up into the wall or even higher.

Yes. Initial stages of white line disease include white, chalky, powdery areas at the white line. Another early sign is a widening of the sole-wall junction.

Yes. WLD may stay isolated to a very small area fractions of an inch wide, or it may invade the entire hoof capsule from one side to another. It may also spread to the other healthy feet.

No. Researchers have not been able to transfer white line disease from one horse to another. But, it can spread to other healthy feet on the same horse, which makes it critical to start treatment as soon as WLD is discovered!

Seedy toe occurs when the hoof wall separates from the underlying sensitive laminae at the white line causing a cavity that fills with dirt and debris. Symptoms of seedy toe appear as a visible crack going up the hoof wall usually at the toe.

While not considered white line disease, seedy toe is treated the same way. Clean and debride the area with a nail, then fill it with B Gone White Line Treatment. B Gone kills any underlying bacteria/fungus and dries to a strong, hard consistency allowing the hoof to grow down and be trimmed off normally.

The amount you will use will depend on how severe the white line disease is. A tube will usually have about 12 treatments per tube.

Wholesale, Farrier Supply and Tack & Feed Stores Contact:

Louise Irwin
National Sales Rep
(770) 367-5077 (cell & text)
email: louise@bgonewhiteline.com

B Gone will start working immediately. You will see results as the hoof grows out. You may only need one treatment but some cases will need more.

B Gone was not developed or tested for use on thrush. You might want to discuss trying it with your veterinarian. Also, try our new product Sugardine Thrush Treatment.