Proper hoof care is fundamental to horse welfare, and the barefoot versus shod debate requires evidence-based decisions tailored to individual horse needs and work demands.
Hoof health is directly linked to comfort and mobility in horses - a horse with poor hoof care is a horse in pain. Overgrown or incorrectly balanced hooves cause discomfort with every step. Cracks, thrush and white line disease create entry points for infection that cause acute lameness. The barefoot versus shod decision is not ideological but practical - the right choice depends on the individual horse, their work, their hoof quality and their living conditions. Either approach executed poorly causes welfare harm; either approach executed skillfully maintains the hoof health that underlies comfort and movement.