An inflammation of the corium (dermis) of the hoof. The swelling of the tissue leads to pain (lameness) and the increased flow of blood to the inflammed tissue is detectable as increased filling and pulsation of the digital arteries. The horse generally shows a marked pain response on application of the hoof testers.

There are several types of pododermatitis, one differentiates between purulent and non purulent forms, localised and generalised forms and chronic or acute forms.

A hoof abscess, for example, is a localised purulent form, laminitis is a generalised non purulent form and corns are a localised non purulent form.