The outermost layer of the skin, consisting of several layers of cells in various stages of cornification (keratinization). The outer most layer is known as the stratum corneum, the inner most layer is the proliferation zone where cells multiply (stratum basale/geminativum). The epidermis does not contain any nerves or blood vessels, its nutrients are supplied by the underlying dermis (corium) through diffusion. In the hoof, the epidermis is highly specialised  and forms the horn capsule.