: Foot abscesses are one of the commonest causes of lameness encountered in equine practice. This practice based survey of 150 cases demonstrates that being unshod is a major risk factor and that the degree of reported lameness is extremely variable. It also demonstrates that the white line was the usual point of entry (147/150 cases). Whilst the fore feet are more often affected than the hind feet there was no difference in the rate of occurrence between the medial and lateral sides. Application of a shoe has particularly significant effects in reducing the incidence of abscesses in the toe region.