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Shown below are some radiographs (x-ray films) of a horse with severe laminitis and rotation (downward) of the coffin bone. This condition is commonly known as "founder". The coffin bone is basically suspended within the hoof capsule (the part the farrier works with) via an extensive network of microscopic "lamina". The lamina microscopically appear as "pages in a book" and interdigitate to form their attachments and hold the coffin bone in its proper orientation within the hoof capsule.
Laminitis literally means inflammation of the lamina. When a horse suffers a laminitis episode, (from a variety of causes) the potential exists for these lamina attachments to be destroyed, and thus the coffin bone "falls" or "rotates" down toward the ground surface. A severe episode, as shown below, involves the tip of the coffin bone protruding through the sole (bottom of the foot). It is possible, and probably more common, that a horse will suffer from a laminitis episode, and not destroy the laminar attachments. Rotation of the coffin bone represents a significant complication of laminitis and thus defines a "foundered horse".
These radiographs (x-rays) are taken from the side of the horses foot, with a paper clip taped to the outer hoof capsule. The diseased foot shown last, also has a thumbtack placed in the sole at the point of the frog to delineate its position on the film.
NORMAL EQUINE FOOT ANATOMY  A NORMAL EQUINE FOOT
A SEVERE LAMINITIS WITH COFFIN BONE ROTATION
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