Lameness is one of the most prevalent and painful welfare problems in sheep, yet it remains undertreated on many farms due to stockmanship gaps and economic pressures.
Lameness in sheep causes chronic pain that persists for days to weeks if untreated. Lame sheep lie down more, feed less, lose weight, and show signs of depressed affect including reduced alertness and social interaction. Footrot bacteria spread rapidly within flocks during wet conditions, and untreated animals serve as a reservoir for herd-wide infection. Despite this, surveys consistently find that many farmers delay treatment beyond recommended timeframes. The five-point lameness plan emphasising prompt treatment, culling of chronically affected animals, and vaccination has strong evidence for reducing both prevalence and individual suffering.