Hoof care is among the most critical aspects of horse welfare — neglected hooves cause chronic pain that affects mobility, behavior, and quality of life for millions of horses globally.
Horses with untreated hoof problems experience chronic pain with every step. Laminitis, thrush, white line disease, and long untrimmed hooves all cause significant suffering that horses cannot communicate directly. Behavioral changes — reluctance to be caught, aggression during grooming, altered gait — are often misinterpreted as attitude problems rather than pain signals. Regular professional farriery is not a luxury but a fundamental welfare requirement for any horse in human care.