HWSD (Hoof Wall Separation Disease, SERPINB11)
Hereditary disorder of hoof wall formation in which the wall separates from the pedal bone along the white line and breaks away. The cause is a recessive variant in the SERPINB11 gene; only homozygous animals are affected, carriers are healthy. Changes usually appear in the first year of life. Described above all in the Connemara pony.
Veterinary care required
This condition belongs in veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Compounds are at most supportive.
Priority · vet & management
Care lies with vet and farrier together: close-interval trimming, relief of the wall and protection against further breakage. There is no causal treatment — good hoof management decides quality of life.
Possible causes
- · autosomal-recessive variant in the SERPINB11 gene
- · both parents are carriers
- · carrier frequency in the Connemara population is well above the number of affected animals
Supportive compounds · supplementary feed, not medication
Prevention
Gene test before mating. Carriers are healthy and may be mated with non-carriers — only carrier x carrier produces affected foals.
Equiterna's take
Equiterna classifies HWSD as a hereditary trait that hoof care accompanies, not cures. Complementary feeds for the horn are supportive and stand clearly behind gene test and farrier.
Usage note
This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.
Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.