How Is a Horse Foot Properly Shoed?

Most horses must be shod. The horse in the wild was able to keep its hooves at the right length and even by traveling over varied terrain. The domestic horse doesn't have the opportunity to travel widely and is either confined to stables, or is in a paddock with soft ground.

  1. Basics

    • Hooves are like human nails. If allowed to grow without trimming they become fragile and uneven. Pieces of hoof are also likely to drop off. Splitting is another typical problem. Looking after a horse's hooves and making sure they are shod correctly is an important part of horse health. Leaving horses' hooves untrimmed can cause lameness, and badly fitted shoes can damage the spine and affect balance. Hooves grow about 1/4 inch per month and need to be trimmed about every six weeks.

    Shoe Type

    • The Horses and Horse Information website recommends having a new horse's hooves inspected by a veterinarian and a farrier. It is also advisable to discuss with the farrier the types of activities the horse is being used for, as this affects the type of shoes and when it needs to be shod. Traction, or the ability to hold the ground, is a vital part of shoeing, and horses used for equestrian sports, such as show jumping, need special shoes.

    The Farrier

    • A good farrier is well equipped and also understands a veterinarian's instructions about any hoof problems. At the beginning of shoeing, the farrier should observe the horse's gait and look for signs of imbalance when it is standing still. The farrier uses a hoof angle to line up the heel and toe angles before trimming. He should only trim the part of the hoof that is visibly flaking, as a thicker sole gives more protection. He'll also avoid the heel bar and only trim to the widest part of the frog, which is the inner part of the foot touching the ground. Generally shoes are attached with nails, but if a horse has specific hoof damage, farriers often use a glue called Equilox to attach the shoes.

    Cleaning

    • Every six weeks the farrier needs to remove the shoes to trim the hooves, as shoes don't prevent the hoof from growing. The farrier may be able to reuse the shoes, and he will advise owners about this. Owners need to take daily care of a horse's feet, because shod horses pick up more dirt than a barefoot horse. Picking it out prevents pain and minimizes the risk of bacterial infection.