What is the hoof wall made of?

• A. Keratinized tissue
• B. Keratin
• C. Bone
• D. Keratinized horn

Answer: (D)

The hoof wall is a horn-like tissue made of hard keratin. This material is produced by epidermal cells at the coronary band and, as those cells keratinize and die, it forms keratinized horn that gives the hoof its tough, wear-resistant outer layer. Keratin refers to the protein itself, while the hoof wall is the specialized keratinized horn, not bone. So this answer correctly identifies the hoof wall as the keratinized horn, explaining why it’s strong and durable. The other options don’t fit because keratinized tissue is too broad, keratin alone is just the protein, and bone is a different tissue altogether.