Donkey Hoof Care in the Developing World: A Welfare Gap

Donkeys in low- and middle-income countries suffer disproportionately from neglected hoof conditions, and community-based farriery training programmes are proving effective at scale.

Key Facts

An estimated 40 million donkeys, mules and horses work in developing countries as primary transport and draft animals
Overgrown, cracked or infected hooves are among the most common welfare problems identified in working donkeys
Neglected hooves cause lameness, pain and reduced working capacity, directly affecting livelihoods
Donkeys walk on hard, stony terrain often without any protective shoes, accelerating hoof wear and injury
The Donkey Sanctuary and Brooke Animal Welfare provide farriery training to community animal health workers
Proper trimming of donkey hooves every 6-8 weeks significantly reduces lameness rates
Hoof care knowledge is often entirely absent in communities where donkeys are kept

Welfare Considerations

Working donkeys are essential economic assets for millions of families, yet their welfare is frequently neglected due to poverty, lack of knowledge and limited veterinary access. Hoof problems are particularly prevalent because they develop gradually and owners may not recognise early signs of pain. Community-based animal health worker programmes that include practical farriery training have demonstrated significant welfare improvements at low cost. Addressing this welfare gap simultaneously improves animal wellbeing and human livelihoods, making it one of the most impactful and cost-effective welfare interventions available.

What You Can Do

Support Brooke Animal Welfare and The Donkey Sanctuary community training programmes financially
Advocate for inclusion of working animal welfare in international development planning
Share resources on basic donkey hoof care in languages relevant to communities you can reach
Encourage veterinary and agricultural colleges in LMICs to include working equid welfare training
Raise awareness of the connection between working animal welfare and rural family livelihoods