Companion Animals

Hoof Care and Welfare in Horses and Ponies

Hoof health is fundamental to equine welfare, with poor hoof care causing chronic pain and lameness that significantly compromises quality of life.

Key Facts

Regular farriery every 6-8 weeks is essential for maintaining hoof health
Laminitis affects up to 7% of horses and ponies annually and is extremely painful
Unshod horses on varied terrain maintain hooves naturally but still need regular assessment
Hoof abscesses cause acute severe pain but resolve rapidly with correct treatment
The hoof wall grows approximately 1 cm per month, making regular trimming essential

Welfare Considerations

Neglected hooves cause progressive and ultimately severe lameness. Overgrown hooves force unnatural posture affecting joints throughout the body. Horses and ponies with hoof problems experience constant pain that affects feeding, social behaviour and ability to flee threats. Preventive farriery is far less costly in welfare terms than treating advanced lameness. Equine welfare legislation in most countries includes hoof care standards but enforcement remains variable.

What You Can Do

Schedule regular farriery every 6-8 weeks throughout the year
Learn to identify early signs of laminitis including increased digital pulse
Report horses with severely overgrown hooves to relevant welfare authorities
Provide appropriate diet and controlled grazing to reduce laminitis risk