Inadequate hoof care is a leading cause of lameness and chronic pain in working donkeys in developing countries, with community-based farriery training programs offering welfare improvement at scale.
Hoof neglect causes preventable chronic pain and lameness in millions of working donkeys globally. Animals that are lame continue working in many contexts because owners rely on them for survival, creating a welfare crisis where economic necessity perpetuates suffering. Community-based farriery training programs that build local skill are more sustainable than periodic expert visits that cannot maintain the regularity needed for good hoof care. Low-cost or free hoof care provision through community animal health worker networks reduces the economic barrier to regular care. Addressing this basic husbandry need has immediate and significant welfare impact at individual and population level.