Seedy toe occurs when layers of the inside of the hoof wall separate at the white line creating a cavity which starts from the sole and may extend right up to the coronet. The layers that separate are the sensitive and insensitive laminae layers. The cavity of seedy toe can been seen on the underside of the foot as a soft area around the white line. This is where the cavity is being filled in with crumbling weak horn.

When seedy toe causes problems dirt manages to get into the cavity and create infection.