Lameness is one of the most prevalent and undertreated welfare problems in UK sheep, with evidence that pain recognition is poor and treatment uptake is low despite effective interventions being available.
Lame sheep experience chronic pain affecting mobility, feeding, and social behaviour. Sheep stoically mask pain — subtle signs including altered posture, reduced willingness to bear weight, and changed facial expressions require active assessment. The Sheep Grimace Scale provides a validated pain assessment tool but is rarely used on-farm. Delayed treatment allows both continued pain and disease progression. Foot rot causes progressive tissue destruction that becomes increasingly painful and difficult to treat. Prompt identification, footbathing, and NSAID treatment represent the welfare standard of care.