Horseshoes

Find out about horse shoeing

It is considered auspicious for a barn or stable to hang a horseshoe on the wall upside down; it is said to hold in a pocket of luck. But beyond superstitions, horseshoes are an incredibly functional and important part of many horses' lives.

Horseshoes have been used since almost the beginning of recorded history to protect hooves from cracking, but the nailed-on shoes used today didn't come about until sometime between 800 and 1100 A.D.

Horseshoes provide strength for hooves, which are put under extra stress when horses carry or pull additional weight. Plus, they give horses traction when they're on slick surfaces like ice or when they're running at high speeds.

There is some debate as to whether all horses need to be shod year-round. Many veterinarians believe that going "barefoot" for part or most of the year is not harmful to horses under normal circumstances.

Horse Shoeing

The horse shoeing process, when done by a professional (called a farrier), is quick and painless — it's much like a human manicure. Farriers remove old shoes and trim the outer edge of the hoof, helping ensure that the horse's weight is evenly distributed throughout its leg. Then, shoes are measured and matched to the hoof size by either cold-shoeing or hot-shoeing.

Cold-shoeing is generally faster, since the shoe is simply shaped with hand tools, but the fit may be less precise. Hot-shoeing — in which the shoe is heated, bent with a hammer and anvil, and cooled off in water — is thought to be more precise because the metal can be more easily manipulated and fit perfectly to the horse's foot.

Finally, the shoe is attached to the foot with small nails that are driven into the nonsensitive part of the hoof. The farrier uses a large file to smooth down the nail where it meets the shoe.

Please remember that only professionals who have been to horse shoeing school and have professional farrier supplies should be allowed near your horse's hooves! Though farriers make the process look easy, amateur mistakes could injure your horse.

Corrective Horse Shoeing

Several types of horseshoes have been designed to assist horses with various gait problems. Shoes of different weights, shapes and thicknesses can encourage horses to walk certain ways, which can build up specific muscles. Special shoes have even been created for high-stepping breeds like the Tennessee Walking Horse.