Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Hoof Health Welfare and Care

Hoof health is central to equine welfare, and regular farriery combined with appropriate nutrition and management prevents the most common causes of equine lameness.

Key Facts

Hooves grow continuously and require trimming or shoeing every 6-8 weeks
Neglected hooves develop long-toe, low-heel conformation that causes joint stress
White line disease, seedy toe, and thrush are preventable infections in uncared hooves
Biotin supplementation at therapeutic doses improves hoof wall quality in deficient horses
Barefoot management requires appropriate terrain conditioning and diet

Welfare Considerations

Hoof neglect is one of the most common and visible welfare failures in horses and ponies. Overgrown, distorted hooves cause chronic pain and predispose to serious lameness conditions. Regular farriery is a non-negotiable welfare requirement for all horses.

What You Can Do

Schedule regular farriery appointments every 6-8 weeks for all horses
Provide adequate nutrition including appropriate mineral balance for hoof health
Learn to assess hoof quality and recognize signs of common hoof infections