From diagnosis to management, white line disease presents a multitude of challenges for the farrier, the veterinarian and the horse owner. An umbrella term for infections that attack the innermost layers of the hoof, white line disease often has multiple pathologies, which can make it difficult to treat successfully. Even after using mechanical debridement and antiseptic measures to kill the infection, insidious pockets of bacteria or fungus can often remain hidden away inside the hoof, ready to spawn another episode of the disease.

Managing this chronic condition can make many equine professionals feel like they’re stuck in an endless cycle of lameness exams, topical treatments and more, but there’s hope. At the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis, Calif., a team of…