Lameness is a leading welfare problem in horses across all disciplines, yet remains underdiagnosed and undertreated due to normalisation of subtle gait changes.
Chronic undetected lameness causes ongoing pain that reduces horse welfare during performance and rest. The normalisation of subtle lameness as a training problem rather than a pain indicator delays appropriate veterinary assessment. Owner education about subjective and objective lameness assessment, regular veterinary and farriery care, and weight management are the priority welfare interventions.