Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histological hoof wall assessment of 3-year-old Quarter Horses.

Variation of qMRI metrics through the depth of the equine hoof wall was found. Although the highly ordered environment of collagen may contribute to T2 values, there was lack of evidence to support proteoglycan content as a major contributor of T1ρ values. It is possible T1ρ values had a greater dependence on total water content as the lowest values were seen in the epidermis. Additional research using qMRI is needed to determine mapping values in different disease states.