Regular farriery — hoof trimming and shoeing — is essential for equine welfare, and its absence or poor quality is among the most common causes of preventable horse suffering.
Equine hoof care is foundational welfare management — the structure that bears the horse's entire weight requires consistent, skilled maintenance to remain healthy and pain-free. Hoof neglect is one of the most common causes of welfare investigation for horses in many countries: owners who cannot afford regular farriery or who underestimate its importance allow hooves to grow to lengths that cause pain and permanent structural damage. Laminitis, triggered by dietary excess, illness, or mechanical factors, causes acute suffering followed by chronic pain from structural damage within the hoof. Prevention through appropriate diet management and recognition of early signs are essential welfare skills for all equine owners.