The choice between barefoot and shod management for horses has welfare implications. Evidence-based decision-making requires understanding hoof physiology and individual horse needs.
The horseshoe debate encompasses genuine welfare considerations on both sides. Metal shoes prevent wear on hooves working on hard or varied terrain but restrict the natural expansion of the hoof wall during weightbearing — the mechanism that aids blood circulation in the lower limb. Long-term shoe use may reduce hoof elasticity and alter circulation. However, horses working on hard surfaces without adequate hoof preparation suffer from sole bruising and lameness that represents significant welfare harm. Barefoot management requires appropriate terrain, conditioning time, and regular trimming to be welfare-positive. The welfare-optimal decision is individual and context-dependent: competition horses require appropriate protection for their work type; leisure horses on soft terrain can often be barefoot with appropriate management. Poor farriery — leaving shoes on too long, incorrect trimming, or improper shoeing — causes welfare harm regardless of which approach is chosen. Quality of hoof care matters more than the barefoot versus shod choice.