Lameness is one of the most prevalent and economically significant welfare problems in sheep. Effective management requires systematic assessment, treatment, and prevention.
Sheep lameness represents a chronic welfare burden that is often normalised in farming practice. The prevalence of lameness — with some flocks maintaining 5-10% of animals lame at any given time — reflects a combination of disease pressure, inadequate management, and insufficient prioritisation of treatment. Lame sheep experience pain with every step and show reduced grazing, social withdrawal, and compromised body condition over time. The welfare cost of chronic, untreated or poorly treated lameness is substantial. The solutions are well-understood: prompt identification, appropriate treatment, foot hygiene management through bathing, and genetic selection for resistance. Implementation requires both farmer training and systemic support including adequate veterinary access in rural areas.