Mechanical properties of equine hoof wall tissue.

The mechanical properties of pigmented equine hoof wall tissue were determined for samples taken from the inner and outer portions of the stratum medium of the toe. Two properties, the modulus of elasticity and proportional limit, which are measures of the rigidity and yield point, respectively, of the tissue, were studied for samples compressed in 3 orthogonal directions. All samples tested were anisotropic. Inner wall samples were less rigid and had a lower yield point than outer wall samples.