Hoof health is fundamental to horse welfare. The debate between shod and barefoot management reflects different evidence bases, with optimal approach depending on individual circumstances.
Hoof management decisions have direct, ongoing welfare implications for horses. A horse with painful feet is experiencing continuous discomfort with every step. The shod versus barefoot debate has become unnecessarily polarised; the welfare-focused question should always be: what does this individual horse need in its current circumstances? Skilled, regular farriery or trimming is non-negotiable. Beyond that, evidence-based individual assessment rather than ideological commitment to one approach serves horse welfare best.