I wonder if you could comment on my Shire horse's feet. Age 7 years, 900 kg, 16.2 gelding.

His front feet seem to occasionally separate into 2 layers within the sole, from toe right back to heel. I don't think it is the bar creeping out across foot. The layer on the sole is up to 1/8 inch thick, tough and appears healthy. It's just not attached to the sole all over its surface. It usually remains attached at wall. The sole underneath is clean and often wouldn't even be noticeable if we didn't lift edge of it with hoof knife beside bar or wall, or notice cracks in top layer as it separates from underlayer. Once lifted, we can peel the layer off over square inches of surface. There doesn't appear to be old blood/bruising under the top layer, though his large feet do suffer bruising at times.

The layering doesn't bother him, is usually clean underneath and in places it is attached and seems vascularised, but not enough to bleed when trimmed off. He has had this intermittently for 2 years we have had him. We trim his feet at least once a month, he is unshod and on mixed terrain, with lots of hard gravel surfaces, though our wet climate means his feet are also in water or on wet ground a lot. The layering doesn't seem to lead to abscess or lameness but he is prone to abscesses, possibly related to some old cracks we are growing out slowly but surely.

This foot structure does not seem to be mentioned in books we have read. There is no visible indication of fungal infection such as smell, powdery or scaly deposits. He seldom has any symptoms of mudfever or similar skin infections.

If this is simply old bruising causing separation of sole layers, , I am surprised it is so clean and white inside.. Is there such a thing as the bar growing out across the sole within the sole? I think I can recognise bar which has turned out across the sole, as it is fibrous and continuous with the bar, which this layer is not. The rear portion of bar is healthy and well controlled, however I am concerned I might be allowing the front portion to compact against the tip of the frog. How much should I be V-ing out the bar toward the front of the frog? The frog is bulky and sloughs off naturally.
thanks.

What you are describing is a retained sole, also sometimes called a false sole. It is fairly common. However, I wish it were more common with all the people wanting to go barefoot. It is desirable in barefoot horses, since it is simply more sole to protect and keep the foot healthy. I would trim it as needed, but be careful that you don't get too zealous. You can compare it to a callus on your hand. Once it peels off, there is healthy, clean, unbruised skin underneath, but if you peel it off too early, the skin underneath will be sensitive.