How to Put Borium on Horseshoes

Although horses with well-balanced and dense hooves can handle walking barefoot on icy surfaces, those without need shoes. In addition, since horse hooves grow more slowly in low temperatures, horses that are ridden actively and often in the wintertime also need to be shod. Though many winter options are available --- such as softer aluminum shoes, rim shoes and shoes with removable traction studs --- the simplest option for winter riding is your regular horseshoe lined with borium.

Things You'll Need

  • Welding gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Acetylene welding torches
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Instructions

    • 1
      Fitting horseshoes is an art unto itself.

      Fit the horseshoes as usual. Stack the shoes on top of each other to avoid wasting heat.

    • 2

      Wearing gloves and eye protection, smear the borium onto the top horseshoe in a thickness of 1/8 to 1/4 inch, one spot at the heel and two near the toe.

    • 3

      Bring one spot up to welding heat with the torch, heating the borium at the same time. Take the torch away when the steel begins to puddle.

    • 4

      Create a spike in each spot with the borium: a short spike for a little traction and a tall one for a lot.

    • 5

      Repeat for each spot on each horseshoe.

    • 6

      Nail the shoes on as usual.