What is the matter with this hoof?

I have this Shetland gelding that is 10H and 10 yrs old.

He is starting to develop this hard white stuff in all 4 of his hooves.

It's just as hard as the hoof its self and can not be picked out.

Does any one know what on earth this stuff is? I am worried

Please help me out. Thank you

It just looks like wet sole that can't naturally exfoliate due to the excessive length of his hooves.

First, the hoof is really overgrown. Secondly, the ridges indicate erratic feeding. I have gotten little ridges in the past from my horse's hooves--I've owned horses since 1985--and this has happened when I fed rich food, like grain and didn't gradually increase the amounts OR I changed feed abruptly. The hoof also (side-view) likes like founder, from the bell-shape on the bottom--it should be flat. I'ved owned only a few ponies, but I DO know that they can founder on food that much larger horses, like warmbloods or over 1,300 pounds, for instance NEED to maintain their weight. What does your farrier think? =/

That pony has laminitic issues (feed sensitive, there should not be ripples on hoof) and I'd suggest a trim and high fibre very low sugar diet. It also looks thrushy around the frog, flaky white sole suggests dead sole which would exfoliate with work.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but when was the last time he saw a farrier?
Maybe you just purchased him, I don't know the story.

That does look like wet sole, I don't have a ton of experience with that but I do believe that's what it will look like. And like another poster said it could have a lot to do with diet, he is a 10hh pony, not a warmblood. I know my mare gets more grain than I'd ever give my pony.

Another thing, when did you notice this?
I would be curious to know what the farrier had to say =/
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OP where in ND are you located and who is your farrier?

I guess I didn't say--ponies need a very low protein diet. Sorry--that's what I meant.

We are in Valley City,North Dakota.

Our farrier was a guy named Kevin but he retired so we are looking for one now.

Why do you ask?

Going to suggest Farriers. I'm not all that terribly far from you.

Let me dig up my information and dig up some of my contacts and pm you.

Thanks! I would really appreciate it ;)