Regular professional hoof care is essential for horse welfare, with neglect causing painful conditions that affect movement, posture, and quality of life.
Hoof care welfare is fundamental because horses bear their entire weight on four hooves - hoof imbalance and disease cause pain affecting every moment of standing and movement. Laminitis is particularly severe: inflammation of the sensitive laminae causes agonizing pain that can incapacitate horses and requires intensive management to control. The connection between diet (particularly excessive carbohydrates), metabolic health, and laminitis risk means hoof welfare is intertwined with nutritional management. Regular farriery and proactive hoof health monitoring are basic welfare requirements for all kept horses that should never be compromised by cost considerations.