A horse is a magnificent creature that draws the eye in his direction due to the powerful display from his muscular build and the mesmerizing beauty he exudes. He commands an audience with the clapping when he walks, whether he is barefoot or in shoes. Learn how a horse’s shoes lead to the ideal performance and soundness.
With the equine’s feet dressed, the sound of walking amplifies exceptionally. These shoes help protect the animal’s hooves from becoming overly worn, particularly if there is extensive travel on harsh surfaces like asphalt.
It’s not much different from a human using shoes to protect their feet from being damaged on various terrain. Let’s learn a few exciting tidbits handy for anyone who might have minimal knowledge on the subject.
Things To Know About Shoes For A Horse
Not everyone is sure whether it is better to let a horse go barefoot or make sure the animal has the proper shoes. Hooves need protecting in the same manner that a person’s delicate skin needs protecting from different harsh surfaces. As is true with any species, horses rely on pet parents to know what is necessary to keep them safe, healthy, and secure. It is the owner’s responsibility to act accordingly.
Before you adopt one of these incredible animals, it is important to research to understand the overall wellness requirements. The following tidbits will answer a few questions regarding shoes for the horse.
** What Are Shoes For Equine?
A horse’s shoe usually consists of steel, iron, or aluminum fixed into the horse’s hoof shape. The metallic piece affixes to the hooves’ walls, in essence like a human wearing a shoe, so the shoe can prevent damage to the foot. Hooves are reminiscent of a human nail, albeit a much thicker variety. The idea that equines experience pain when shod is untrue.
While nails marry the metal to the hoof, the process boasts an entirely pain-free experience for the animal. If you are someone who struggles with clipping nails or finds that process painful, then you might believe shoeing a horse would create a pain sensation because the two are comparable.
You need to keep in mind that hooves are deficient in nerve endings, and if you make the application correctly, the animal will have no pain. Problems arise if you happen to trim the hoof too short. The equine might experience soreness on the level of you cutting a nail too short. You can also create pain if the nail goes in the wrong spot. The solution to avoiding these issues is to use a professional farrier for both trimming and shoeing.
** Understanding The Need For A Shod Horse
Again, equine requires protection for the same reasons humans do, for protection against damages if the animal were to travel on tough terrain. Some more explicit reasons include:
- Sensitive Feet: A wild mustang likely won’t need shoes because these equines developed naturally hard, tough hooves, also true of the working horses.
Breeders choose horses based on the abuse withstood as far as long, grueling hours of work without lameness setting in and how long they could endure these conditions. These horses needed no shoes because their feet naturally became conditions for harshness.
The horse with sensitive feet most likely was in competitive activities with, sport, or performance tasks more so than needing their feet to be durable and sound. In cases where they need to jump and run-on cue but suffer from sensitivity, shoes are critical.
- Rough, Rocky, Harsh Surfaces: If you plan to have the horse in the rugged, harsh territory, horseshoes are necessary for overall wellness. If you ignore using the animal’s proper footwear, the hooves can become worn much more quickly than they have a chance to regrow.
- Existing Issues: Horseshoes can be of benefit to help with conditions like laminitis or for use with horses who usually run barefoot but might be suffering from a low heel or quarter crack.
- Are The Horseshoes Needed: It’s genuinely not necessary for all horses to wear shoes. Factors to consider are the age, the frequency of riding, the terrain used.
The only requirement would be to trim for some equine, but it’s ultimately a discussion to have with the animal’s farrier. If you don’t feel comfortable performing the task, make sure to use the professional.
** What Happens If A Horse Loses A Shoe?
Most pieces are changed as early as every six weeks due to the wear of the metal experienced during the period. If you leave them on too long, the horseshoe can fall off. When they fall, farriers should replace them.
If it hasn’t been at least six weeks, likely the horse caught the metal on something or perhaps stepped on it. It would help if you attempted to locate the material and phone the farrier for assistance. In most cases, the professional will try to replace the old shoe and apply a new one if that’s not possible.
If you have an equine that pulls shoes regularly, it’s wise to consult with the farrier to see what options are available to prevent this from continuing to happen.
Final Thought
Horseshoes might not necessarily be for all equine. Still, for those who do need them, they help hooves against rough, harsh surfaces and benefit animals who might be suffering from potential injuries.
If you own horses, you understand that these need replacing on a regular schedule, as little as six weeks but no more than eight weeks for the animal’s good. And that is ultimately what matters; the animal’s overall safety and well-being.
