Why Is Shoeing a Horse So Important?

Wild horses don't spend long hours on hard pavement, jumping over obstacles or chasing cows. Domesticated horses are asked to do all that and more, which is why a hard-working horse needs shoes to prevent injury and discomfort.

  1. Protection

    • The major reason to shoe a horse is hoof protection. Shoes protect a horse's foot from the hard surface of the road or rocks in the field, and prevent cracking, bruising and breaking.

    Traction

    • Horses that pull carriages, carts or plows often need shoes with a hard surface to provide better traction and wear. Horses that jump, rein or perform dressage maneuvers require special shoes that provide special traction for their disciplines.

    Correction

    • Horses, like people, sometimes need corrective shoes. Incorrect motion, gait problems and hoof irregularities and imperfections can be corrected with proper shoeing.

    Healing

    • Horses with navicular or founder need special care by vets as well as farriers. Correctly applied shoes can help alleviate pain and aid the healing of these conditions.

    Disadvantage

    • Shod feet are more difficult to keep picked clean than bare feet. A kick from a horseshoe hurts more than a kick from a bare foot. Shoes need to be removed, hooves trimmed and shoes replaced at each farrier visit, every four to six weeks.

    Shoeless?

    • Some horses don't need shoes. Broodmares, horses not being shown, growing colts and those that are sure-footed on soft pasture typically are not shod.