Hoof Care and Equine Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Regular professional hoof care is fundamental to horse welfare, preventing lameness and the chronic pain it causes.

Key Facts

Horse hooves grow approximately 1cm per month and require trimming every 6-8 weeks
Thrush, white line disease, and abscess are common hoof conditions causing significant pain
Unshod horses in light work on soft ground may not require shoes but need regular trimming
Laminitis causes rotation of the pedal bone within the hoof capsule causing severe pain
Farriery standards vary widely and poorly executed shoeing can cause welfare harm

Welfare Considerations

Hoof health is central to equine welfare because horses are obligate weight-bearing animals — hoof pain affects every step. Regular farriery prevents overgrowth, imbalance, and the secondary lameness problems these cause. Hoof abscess causes acute severe pain that can render a horse temporarily three-legged. Laminitis causing pedal bone rotation is among the most painful equine conditions. Good farriery working in partnership with veterinary guidance provides the foundation of mobility and welfare across a horse's working life.

What You Can Do

Book regular farrier visits every 6-8 weeks for all horses regardless of workload
Learn to pick out and inspect horse hooves daily for signs of disease or injury
Work with a vet and farrier collaboratively for horses with complex hoof conditions
Seek emergency farriery and veterinary care promptly for suspected laminitis or abscess