Horseshoeing and hoof care practices have welfare implications that require skilled farriery and appropriate management.
Horses with poorly maintained hooves or ill-fitting shoes develop lameness that restricts normal movement and causes chronic pain. Overgrown hooves change the angle of the pedal bone and digital structures causing tendon strain. Regular skilled farriery every 6-8 weeks prevents most hoof-related welfare problems. Barefoot management with appropriate trimming reduces shoe-related complications for horses with suitable feet and environments.