Why do we shoe horses?
There are at least five good reasons to put shoes on horses:
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1) Protection against wear.
There are various reasons why the feet of domesticated equines are sometimes not able to comfortably sustain the workload asked of them. Shoes are able to provide the protection that enables these animals to perform comfortably.
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2) Added traction.
Horses are often asked to perform tasks that are not natural to them (such as carrying a human on their back!) and they're asked to perform these tasks on surfaces that aren't natural to them (such as tarmac roads). Shoes can offer the additional grip needed to be able to perform these tasks safely.
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3) Extra support.
Even the healthy, well-conformed equine experiences significant additional physical strain, compression and tension when performing tasks such as jumping or turning at speed with the additional weight of a rider. Well fitted shoes are able to offer significant extra support as a preventative measure against injury.
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4) Compensation for unfavorable conformation.
Some horses, though sound, have a conformation that predisposes to unsoundness. Examples of this might be a horse that stands with its feet very close together (termed 'base-narrow'), or with a deviation in the knee or fetlock. Careful farriery can identify areas of greater strain resulting from these conformation 'faults' and can help to alleviate them.
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5) Treatment for disease and injury.
The treatment protocol for many conditions of the foot and limb will include specific shoeing. Shoes can offer extra support, unload damaged structures, change angles, protect sensitive structures and much more.
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What is a bar shoe and what are they used for?
A bar shoe is one that continues at the back of the foot from one heel to the other creating a full circle.
Bar shoes are able to offer more support than open (normal) shoes. They have many uses including unloading soft tissues such as the tendons and ligements at the back of the leg and helping to adjust an unfavorable foot conformation.
How can I tell if my horse needs new shoes?
It's wise to keep your horse on a regular shoeing cycle because it's not always easy to tell when the shoes need replacing but some key signs will include:
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The shoes are significantly worn,
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Nail heads (clenches) are protruding or loose,
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One or more of the shoes are 'clinking' when the horse walks,
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One or more of the shoes has moved from its proper position under the foot,
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The hoof is growing over the shoe,
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The feet (especially front feet) are looking long in the toe.
If in doubt it's best to send a picture to your farrier so they can advise you.
How do I know if barefoot is the right option for me and my horse?
All horses are different and that includes their hoof quality and their pain threshold. Many horses are able to cope well without shoes but many aren't.
A transition shouldn't be considered before talking to your farrier about the quality and condition of your horse's feet. Going barefoot can occasionally improve the quality of hooves but horses with weaker feet are often unable to make the transition.
It can sometimes be helpful to transition experimentally by removing hind shoes and seeing how your horse copes.