Horses and Hoof Care Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Regular professional hoof care is essential to horse welfare — lameness from inadequate trimming or shoeing is among the most prevalent welfare problems in companion and working horses globally.

Key Facts

Hooves grow continuously and require trimming every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain correct balance and function
Lameness is the most common health problem in horses, affecting an estimated 60% of horses at some point in their lives
Laminitis — inflammation of the laminae within the hoof — is extremely painful and can be life-threatening
Correct hoof balance affects the entire musculoskeletal system — poor balance contributes to joint and tendon problems
Access to a qualified farrier is geographically limited in many rural areas
Barefoot hoof management — horses kept without shoes — can be appropriate for many horses if transition is managed carefully

Welfare Considerations

Hoof care is foundational to horse welfare in a way that is difficult to overstate. A horse with poorly maintained hooves is essentially walking on malformed feet — the consequences cascade through the entire body in the form of joint pain, tendon strain, and postural compensation. Lameness causes persistent pain and limits the horse's ability to move, forage, and express normal behavior. Regular farrier care prevents most lameness and is among the most cost-effective welfare investments available to horse owners. The barrier for many horses — particularly working equids in low-income countries — is access to qualified farriery services rather than owner willingness.

What You Can Do

Schedule farrier visits every 6 to 8 weeks for all horses in your care
Learn to identify early signs of hoof imbalance and lameness for prompt intervention
Ensure your farrier is qualified and uses evidence-based trimming approaches
Support farriery training programs in low-income countries where working equid welfare is compromised
Advocate for accessible farriery services as part of working animal welfare programs