Lameness is the most common cause of early retirement and euthanasia in horses. Prevention, early detection, and humane management are essential for equine welfare.
Horse lameness causes chronic pain that persists for months or years when inadequately managed. The instinct to hide pain means many horses suffer significantly before owners recognize the problem. Laminitis represents a welfare emergency — the rotation and sinking of the coffin bone within the hoof causes pain comparable to human fingernail separation. Modern pain management including NSAIDs, nerve blocks, and therapeutic shoeing substantially improves quality of life for lame horses, but access to equine specialist care varies enormously. Working horses in developing countries often receive no pain management for lameness conditions that would trigger immediate veterinary intervention in high-income countries.