Imagine a horse trotting down the road. Chances are, you can hear the trotting noise that goes along with it. Whether you’re an experienced horse owner or have no experience with horses at all, nearly everyone is familiar with the clop clop clop sound of a horse trotting down the road. This familiar sound doesn’t come from horse hooves themselves, but from the shoes that the horses wear. Horses can wear shoes for a variety of reasons including health, activity level, and environment. Read on to find out more information about horseshoes.

Why do horses need to wear shoes?

Horse shoes are imperative for hooves that come in regular contact with rugged flooring like concrete. Hooves can suffer damage from uneven ground or hard flooring. Shoes can prevent this damage from occurring, ensuring a healthier horse.

What are horseshoes made of?

Horseshoes are generally made of steel or aluminum. These materials are sturdy and will maintain their shape. Horseshoes are attached by nailing the shoe to the horse’s hoof. There are different styles of horseshoes. The style your hose needs largely depends on the breed of horse. Some horse breeds require different shoe styles on their front legs and hind legs. Frequently hind legs are fitted with a horseshoe known as a caulk. A caulk includes extra steel materials to prevent excessive wear and tear on the hind leg hooves.

Do horseshoes hurt?

Many people believe that applying and removing horseshoes is painful since the shoes are applied directly to the hoof using nails. Fortunately, this is just a myth! Shoeing a horse is a completely pain free process. The tough part of a horse’s hoof that the shoe is applied to doesn’t contain any nerve endings. If you have the opportunity to see a horse being shoed, you’ll notice that the horse won’t show any aggression or signs of pain.

How often do horseshoes need to be replaced?

Shoeing a horse isn’t a one time process. A horse’s natural hoof is constantly contracting, so its important to make sure that their shoes fit properly. Its imperative to regularly check your hose’s shoes to make sure they still fit well or they can become painful for your horse. A horse will grow a completely new hoof in the span of a year, so its essential to check the shoes. You may find that your horse will outgrow its shoes more quickly than you think.

Keeping up with your horse’s shoeing needs is imperative to the health and happiness of your horse. For all your horseshoeing questions and needs call Tylor James today at 706-699-8976 or schedule an appointment online.

All horses need regular, quality hoof care. Hooves that are allowed to grow long and aren’t properly cared for can be unsightly, but they can also pose a health hazard to your horse. The internal workings of the hoof, the tendons and ligaments in the legs, and the overall movement of the horse can all be negatively impacted by having unbalanced hoofs. Uncared for hoofs and improper horseshoes are similar to a person trying to walk in clown shoes with high heels for months on end! This wouldn’t be good for the overall health of a human, similar to how ill fitting horseshoes (or no shoes at all) aren’t good for the overall health of a horse.

Whether your domestic horse has shoes or not, regular hoof care by a trained professional is a must. A domestic horse is generally not able to wear down their own hooves as nature intended. Wild horses maintain their own hooves by travelling many miles a day across a variety of surfaces. This keeps wild horses from needing a farrier and keeps their hooves in good condition. The movement across so many different surfaces naturally trims the hooves on a continuous basis. Domestic horses without shoes generally don’t move enough to naturally trim their own hooves. Domestic horses with shoes do not wear their hooves down at all as the shoes prevent any wear from occurring.

Unshod horses (horses without shoes) need regular hoof trimming. Soft surfaces like pastures and stable bedding don’t wear the hoof down at all. Unshod horses on soft surfaces generally need to have their hooves trimmed every 3-4 weeks. Unshod domestic horses who frequently encounter more abrasive surfaces may need to have their hooves trimmed less frequently, but trimmings are still needed.

Shod domestic horses (horses with shoes) need to be re-shod every 4-6 weeks. Even if the shoes have not been worn down, the hooves are continuously growing. As the hooves grow, the shoes can start to fit poorly and become painful for the horse. Its imperative to have regular appointments with your farrier to maintain a proper shoe fit.

Your farrier can help you decide if your horses need shoes or not. Many horses that are only working intermittently don’t need to be kept in shoes continuously. Some horses do well with only front shoes, and others do well without shoes at all. If you’d like to transition your horse from being constantly in shoes to being barefoot, you’ll need to become more involved with the hoof care of your horse.

For more information on horseshoes and horse hoof care and maintenance, contact Tylor James today at 706-699-8976 or schedule an appointment online.

A horse’s environment and job can have a large impact on their hooves. Proper horse hoof care and maintenance is essential for a horse to be able to do its job, as well as the overall health of the horse. Its imperative for any horse owner to know basic horse care. Daily grooming and hoof maintenance should be some of your top priorities as a responsible horse owner. Its also important to have a knowledgeable vet experienced in horse care, as well as an experienced farrier.

Here are some basic hoof care tips:

• Schedule regular hoof trimmings. Its important to schedule regular trimmings with a farrier every six to eight weeks. A farrier is a horse hoof specialist who will trim and balances hooves and can put on horseshoes. Your horse’s hooves will grown approximately a quarter of an inch per month. Allowing the hooves to grow too long can cause them to crack, chip off, curl, or break off. Any of these problems can lead to serious leg injuries for your horse. Its important to have an experienced farrier to trim your horse’s hooves as opposed to doing them yourself. If a horse’s hooves are trimmed too short, this can also lead to painful bruising or abscesses.
• Clean off buildup. Natural elements like mud, rocks, manure, and snow can buildup into the bottom of your horse’s hooves. This buildup can put pressure on the sole, leading to bacterial infections or a weakened hoof structure. Ideally, hooves should be cleaned out daily. If you aren’t able to clean them daily, its imperative to clean them out every time you ride.
• Use a horse hoof moisturizer. If you live in a climate with particularly dry seasons, its important to use a horse hoof moisturizer to keep the hooves from getting brittle. When choosing a moisturizer, try to avoid one that gives the hoof an oily coating which can soften the hoof wall too much.
• Keep your horse out of wet bedding and mud. During rainy seasons, try to keep your horse clear of mud and keep their bedding dry. This can prevent fungus from growing. Wet ground can also create a suction, loosening your horse’s shoes.
• Use supplements if necessary. Some horses may need a biotin or selenium supplement if they have weak hooves. Before giving your horse any supplements, its important to consult with your vet or farrier.
• Consider protecting your horse’s hooves with horseshoes. Depending on your horse’s environment and job, your horse may need to wear horseshoes. Shoes will protect their hooves from wear and tear and can help keep them in balance. Horseshoes will typically last about six weeks.
• Feed your horse well. A healthy horse will have better hooves, so its important to maintain a good feed program. Horses who don’t receive quality nutrition will have reduced hoof growth and weak hooves.
• Give your horse some exercise. Exercise is good for your horse’s overall health as well as their hoof health. Regular exercise at a walk or trot will increase blood circulation to your horse’s hooves, encouraging proper growth and hoof strength.

For more information on horseshoes and horse hoof care and maintenance, contact Tylor James today at 706-699-8976 or schedule an appointment online.