Working Animals

Horse Hoof Care and Welfare

Hoof health is fundamental to horse welfare, with lameness causing significant pain and being among the most common welfare problems in domesticated horses.

Key Facts

Lameness is estimated to affect 10% of the UK horse population at any given time
Laminitis affects 1 in 10 horses and ponies and can cause permanent hoof damage
Regular professional farriery every 6-8 weeks is essential for shod horses
Horses with poor hoof care show altered posture and reduced movement associated with chronic pain

Welfare Considerations

Horses carry 60% of their body weight on their forefeet, making hoof health central to locomotion and comfort. Chronic laminitis causes rotation of the coffin bone through the hoof wall — an extremely painful condition. Prevention through appropriate diet management and regular farriery is far more effective and humane than treatment.

What You Can Do

Schedule farriery appointments every 6-8 weeks without fail
Monitor for early signs of laminitis including heat in hooves and shifting weight
Manage grass intake carefully for ponies and native breeds prone to laminitis
Work with a veterinary physiotherapist if lameness signs appear