Neglected hooves represent one of the most common and visible forms of horse welfare neglect, causing painful lameness and structural damage that requires extended rehabilitation to resolve.
Hoof neglect causes a distinctive and painful form of suffering that progresses gradually but relentlessly without intervention. Overgrown hooves alter the horse posture, loading and movement, causing joint stress, tendon strain and eventually lameness that forces horses to bear weight on deformed structures. The progressive nature means horses adapt their behaviour to mask pain until welfare compromise becomes severe, making early intervention difficult without regular farriery monitoring. The welfare and legal responsibility for regular hoof care falls on the owner. Where owners cannot afford farriery, welfare organisations and local farriery communities can sometimes provide support, but prevention of neglect through owner education and accessible farriery services is the primary welfare strategy.