[Development of hoof cartilage with special considerations of its ossification]

The pre- and perinatal development of the hoof cartilage is described concerning the histological structure and surrounding vessels. Beginning in the third month of fetal development, the anlage of the hoof cartilage is still present in typical shape and location. It is built out of mesenchymal connective tissue. During further fetal development, the connective tissue cells will differentiate into two cell populations, fibroblasts and chondroblasts. Vessels, traversing the hoof cartilage, are surrounded by loose connective tissue, which will partially develop fibrocartilage. At birth, hoof cartilage consists of hyaline cartilage, which is disrupted by vessels, embedded in fibrous connective tissue and/or fibrocartilage. The development of the hoof cartilage is the base to understand its structure and the predisposing locations for its ossification.