Why Do Horses Need Shoes? Purposes & Benefits

Do horses need shoes? Most horse owners claim it to be a personal preference. Does your horse really need them? There’s neither a wrong answer nor a right one to this. Let’s delve deeper into this question and find out if there is really too much of a reason to buy horseshoes or not.

Horseshoes: What Are They

A man-made marvel, the horseshoes can enhance a horse’s hooves and feet. It is more than a piece of metal or just good luck charm. Domesticated horses can perform more productively as well as participate in different kinds of work wearing horseshoes. 

Horses In Wild and Domestic Situations: Do Horses Really Need Shoes

A farrier who works with horses knows best about your horse’s feet and environment. Does a horse really need shoes? A farrier is the best person to reach out to. Horses live and work in varied environments. From working on rocky riverbanks to participating in barrel racing competitions, the need for horseshoes differs from one horse to another.

Why Do Horses Need Horseshoes? Purposes & Benefits Uncovered

Wondering what are horseshoes for? The real reason behind shopping for horseshoes can be anything from the prevention of hoof flaring to improving balance.

The following horseshoe benefits uncover a few of the many reasons why a farrier would recommend you buy horseshoes.

• Increase Traction: Horseshoes can enhance the productivity of horses in rough terrains and poor ground conditions. Wearing horseshoes can improve their grip and prevent slips.
• Reduce Hoof Wear: Excessive wear and tear can be prevented with horseshoes. Horseshoes can be helpful in case a horse’s hood wears down faster than growing back naturally. They can avoid abrasion. 
• Enhance Comfort: Carriage horses and police horses can perform long hours of work with the additional support and comfort of horseshoes. Horses can work on paved surfaces effortlessly with horseshoes.
• Prevent Hoof Flaring: Horse owners can prevent their horses from hoof flaring by making them wear horseshoes. It is common for the hoof wall to weaken and expand outwards, but horseshoes can serve as a precaution.
• Protect From Damage: A protective barrier is essential to prevent a horse’s feet from cracking, bruising, and splitting. Horses who wear shoes can shield their hooves, minimize external trauma, and improve overall health.
• Hoof Irregularities Protection: Horses can undergo poor conformation, discomfort from uneven hoof wear, and even imbalances. Horseshoes can help horses walk in a proper gait and even address irregularities effortlessly.
• Protect From Moisture: A horse’s foot’s exposure to moisture can lead to bacterial infections. It can prevent a horse’s hooves from getting damaged.
• Improve Balance and Symmetry: Horses who wear shoes can relish the benefits of a balanced weight distribution and concussive force absorption. Strains and injuries can no longer limit a horse’s potential.
• Therapeutic Needs: Horseshoes are an essential solution to address the therapeutic concerns of horses. From addressing orthopedic problems to movement abnormalities, horses with therapeutic needs must wear horseshoes to alleviate pain and heal with the necessary support.

Picking Shoes for Your Horse

Horse owners should care about their horse’s hooves. From materials to features, picking the horseshoes can be an overwhelming task. Horseshoes one can shop online are plain shoes, egg bar shoes, racing plates, studding shoes, etc.

A veterinarian or a professional farrier can help you pick the best horseshoes for your horse. The weight, performance, and durability of horseshoes can also rely on their material. You can shop for horseshoes made using steel, rubber, plastic, and even aluminum.

Horseshoe: When to Replace Them

Horseshoes are only worth wearing if they fit correctly. They should not be loose. The horse’s hoof should not have overgrown the shoe. A hoof can take up to 12 months to heal perfectly. It is claimed that the horse’s hooves grow a quarter inch monthly. 

Book your farrier appointment between every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent pain due to unfit shoes. They can tell horse owners when they actually need to be replaced.

Do All Horses Need Shoes: How to Decide

The needs of a horse, as well as owner’s preferences, can help decide whether or not a horse needs shoes. The work exposure that a horse gets on a day-to-day basis, ground conditions, and the state of a horse’s feet are only a few factors to help determine if a horse needs shoes or not.

Best Alternatives and Considerations to Traditional Horseshoes

Going barefoot and Glue-on shoes are the best alternatives and considerations to traditional horseshoes. The correct flooring and traditional horseshoe alternatives can prevent further damage and promote hoof health. Going barefoot can help horses build stronger hooves and boost the natural growth of hoofs. Horses that have compromised hoofs can wear glue-on shoes to minimize any additional stress and promote recovery of hoofs.

Going Barefoot: Do Horses Need to Do It

Horse owners who find paying for shoes can increase their expenses can make their horses go barefoot. Horses with no hoof concerns and perfectly sound can perform better barefoot. 

Why do wild horses not need shoes? Wild horses keep their hooves strong by walking long distances every day. This makes walking barefoot more comfortable and healthier for them. 

However, every horse has different needs, so going barefoot won’t make all the horses productive.

Summary

To summarize, horseshoes and hoof health go hand in hand. Horses who wear horseshoes can enjoy health, safety, and comfort all day. Whether in the arena or on a rocky road, horseshoes can reduce the risk of injury and maintain hoof health in the case of many horses. 

A veterinarian or professional farrier can recommend the best horseshoes for horses. Traditional alternatives to horseshoes, like going barefoot and glue-on shoes, have their benefits. Many horses can thrive much better with horseshoes.

FAQs

What happens if you don’t shoe a horse?

There could be heightened risk of injury if you don’t shoe a horse. Going barefoot can fare well for wild horses, but not all of them.

Can horses survive without horseshoes?

Yes, horses can survive without horseshoes, but only under normal conditions. Horseshoes can maintain hoof strength and prevent further hoof health concerns.