tender_footIn the healthy horse the pedal bone (PI or coffin bone or distal phalanx) is held securely in position within the hoof capsule by laminae.

Some 600 insensitive laminae project from the inner surface of the hoof wall and interlock with the corresponding number of sensitive laminae on the surface of the pedal bone. Each lamina consists of 100 – 200 secondary microscopic laminae which further increase the surface area for attachment.