Lameness in Sheep and Welfare Management

Foot problems are one of the most prevalent and painful welfare conditions affecting sheep worldwide.

Key Facts

Lameness affects approximately 10% of sheep at any given time in UK flocks
Footrot, foot scald, and shelly hoof are the most common causes of sheep lameness
A lame sheep in a field is rarely treated promptly because catching and handling is difficult
Five-point lameness plans significantly reduce lameness prevalence when consistently applied
Chronic lameness causes weight loss, reduced reproductive performance, and welfare compromise

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness causes chronic pain that profoundly reduces quality of life. A lame sheep in a field is a sheep living in pain — often for weeks — because the effort of catching and treating is substantial and welfare-relevant problems are easy to overlook at a distance. The five-point lameness plan provides a structured approach to lameness prevention and treatment that dramatically reduces prevalence when applied consistently. Regular foot health monitoring and prompt treatment is the welfare standard.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring regular lameness scoring in sheep flocks
Learn to use the sheep locomotion scoring system
Advocate for lameness treatment as a welfare requirement not just a production recommendation
Choose lamb and wool from farms with documented flock health and lameness management programs
Support research into vaccine development for footrot and other major lameness causes