Lameness is highly prevalent in sheep and causes significant chronic pain. Improving detection and treatment is one of the highest-priority welfare interventions in sheep farming.
Sheep lameness represents a widespread and underaddressed welfare problem because affected animals are often observed at distance in fields and mild to moderate lameness is frequently not treated promptly. Chronic lameness causes persistent pain that impairs grazing, reduces body condition, and compromises reproductive performance. The economic cost of untreated lameness is substantial, creating alignment between welfare and economic incentives for improvement. Evidence-based lameness management programs that train farmers in early detection, prompt treatment, and preventive measures through vaccination and foot bathing have demonstrated significant reductions in flock lameness prevalence. Improving lameness management represents one of the highest-impact welfare improvements available in sheep farming.