The barefoot horse management approach advocates for hoof care without metal shoes; understanding its welfare implications requires evidence-based assessment of individual horse needs.
The barefoot versus shod debate in equine management has welfare implications in both directions. Barefoot horses, appropriately managed, can develop excellent hoof quality and move more naturally without the constraints of metal shoes. However, a poorly managed transition to barefoot on unprepared hooves, or maintaining a horse barefoot when their individual needs require support, causes genuine pain and welfare harm. The welfare-positive approach is evidence-based and individualized — assessing each horse's hoof quality, workload, terrain, and overall health to determine the most appropriate foot care. Neither blanket advocacy for barefoot nor automatic shoeing serves welfare best; what matters is skilled, regular farriery or trimming and honest assessment of individual needs.