Hoof Care and Shoeing in Horses: Welfare Considerations

The management of horse hooves, including decisions about shoeing versus barefoot keeping, has significant welfare implications and should be guided by individual horse needs and evidence.

Key Facts

Wild horses maintain hooves through continuous movement over varied terrain, covering 25 to 50 kilometres daily
Domestic horses typically do far less movement, leading to hoof growth that requires regular trimming every 6 to 8 weeks
Iron shoes were developed to protect hooves in horses working on hard surfaces, but their necessity varies by use
Barefoot horse keeping has grown in popularity based on evidence that hooves develop differently and often better without shoes
Laminitis, a painful inflammatory condition of hoof laminae, affects approximately 7% of horses and is a major welfare concern
Navicular syndrome, a degenerative condition of the navicular bone and associated structures, is a common cause of chronic forelimb lameness

Welfare Considerations

Hoof care decisions have direct and lasting welfare consequences for horses. Poorly performed farriery creates biomechanical imbalances leading to lameness and joint damage. Overly long trimming intervals allow hoof overgrowth that stresses joints. The barefoot versus shod debate generates strong opinions, but evidence suggests that many horses maintained on appropriate surfaces with adequate movement do well without shoes. However, horses with conformational issues, working on hard or rough terrain, or with specific pathologies may require shoeing for welfare rather than performance reasons. The key welfare principles are regular professional assessment, decisions based on individual horse anatomy and workload rather than convention, and prompt intervention when lameness or hoof pathology is identified.

What You Can Do

Establish a regular trimming or shoeing schedule with a qualified farrier appropriate to your horse's needs
Assess whether your horse genuinely requires shoes based on their workload, surface, and conformation
Learn to monitor hoof health between farrier visits, checking for cracks, heat, digital pulse changes, and asymmetry
Consult a veterinarian promptly for any signs of lameness, as early intervention significantly improves outcomes
Provide adequate movement opportunities for horses as this supports natural hoof health and wear patterns