What you need to know about shoeing horses

It is often said in the equine world: "no feet, no horse". So if there is one question you will have to ask yourself if you become a horse owner, it is what to do regarding shoeing? First of all, should you shoe your horse? Why is it customary to do this? These are all questions that need to be asked when it comes to shoeing a horse. We talk about them in this article.

Should you shoe your horse?

It is common to think that shoeing a horse is an act that protects the horse's hoof, a bit like shoes. Except that you are not born with shoes. You must then ask yourself if you should still shoe your horse despite everything. It must be said to this effect, that choosing to shoe your horse or not, will depend on the age of the horse, its breed, the type of activity it practices depending on whether it is very sporty, for leisure, or at rest. The choice of whether to shoe your horse or not will also depend on the type of ground on which the horse evolves depending on whether this horse evolves on a track, a field, a box...

In any case, if the horse needs to be shod, it will be the farrier and the veterinarian who will be able to best indicate the type of shoeing that should be taken for the horse. This, according to its aplomb, its specific needs, as well as its potential locomotor pathologies.

However, it is common for equestrian specialists to think that young horses and retired horses can be left barefoot. This is the same for horses that do little activity or that evolve on soft ground. The same is true for horses that are resting, or that are going through the winter or the holidays. Beyond shoeing, there are also other protection articles on La Sellerie Française .

What points should be clarified when it comes time to install plates?

When the farrier is there to study the horse and see what it might need, you will need to ask yourself several questions about certain aspects of shoeing.

The first aspect to explore is related to the type of material that the horse must explore. Should we favor plastic, steel or aluminum shoes? Generally speaking, steel shoes are the most commonly used horseshoes. This is because they are all-purpose shoes, easy to install and multi-task. These are fairly ideal shoes for leisure or moderate sports horses or for orthopedic horses. There is also aluminum and plastic which are much more precise and comfortable shoes. They are more suitable for racehorses and require performance as well as cutting-edge tools.

Then comes the question about the plates. Should we put plates? Plates are protections that are added between the shoe and the sole of the horse in order to give the latter more comfort. The plates can be made of silicone or leather. They are not at all mandatory and their uses will depend on what the horse does.

The farrier will be able to talk to you about the trim, the covering or even the beveling of the shoe.