Hoof Care and Horse Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Hoof care is fundamental to horse welfare, with poor management causing chronic pain and lameness.

Key Facts

Horses require farriery or trimming every 6-8 weeks to maintain healthy hoof balance
Laminitis — inflammation of sensitive hoof tissue — is one of the most painful conditions in horses
Barefoot horse keeping is appropriate for many horses with proper management and transition
Badly fitted horseshoes cause pressure points and pain detectable by behavioural signs
Hoof-related lameness causes chronic pain affecting 10-15% of horses at any time

Welfare Considerations

Hoof welfare is fundamental because horses bear their entire body weight on four small structures that require continuous maintenance. Poor hoof balance causes musculoskeletal chain problems affecting legs, back, and performance. Laminitis causes extreme pain and can lead to rotation of the coffin bone through the hoof — a welfare catastrophe requiring months of intensive management. Regular, skilled farriery is one of the most welfare-impactful routine care activities for horses.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses are seen by a qualified farrier or trimmer every 6-8 weeks
Learn to recognise early signs of laminitis including heat in the feet and reluctance to move
Manage diet carefully — laminitis is often triggered by dietary errors in ponies and native breeds
Choose a farrier qualified and registered with an appropriate professional body
Discuss barefoot versus shod options with your farrier and veterinarian based on your horses needs