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There are several diseases pertaining to the hoof. These illnesses are mostly obtained through the type of environment the animal has been exposed to. Common thrush literally eats away at the mineral that makes up the hoof. It causes extended growth of the hoof and eventually can deteriorate the hoof leaving nothing for the animal to stand on.

A home-made product called sugardine which is an iodine mixture, colorless and odorless is one option for treatment. Antibiotics can also be used to treat thrush, but are slightly more costly, so be careful and ask your vet what he or she suggests. Regular shaving and cutting away of any old tissue from the hoof is another cost effective way to maintain this fungus.

A spongy hoof in horses is the opposite of dry hoof; wherein the hoof tissue is too soft and can be treated with hoof supplements in the animal’s diet or with antibiotic creams. Also, ask your vet about possible corrective shoeing for your horse to compensate for the loss of tissue growth. Dry Hoof , also called brittle hoof, is when pieces of the hoof break or flake off because there is no moisture in the tissue, can be treated using sealants and moisturizing creams, in most cases, however this might also be a situation in which corrective shoeing is necessary.

Ringed or ribbed hoof (when there are visible markings on the hoof that actually punctuate through the mineral), is another common disorder and isn’t even considered to be that serious. Basically, it is an issue that is brought on by climate and temperature and treatment for this disorder may be as simple as keeping up an exercise routine to regulate blood flow.