Horseshoe Comparison

How does a hoof interact with different types of horseshoes, you will be surprised.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Racer
• shoes

[patslark]

Interesting concept. But I wonder how the endurance horses who travel for hours over 100s of miles of rock, dirt and shale keep from wearing their hoof walls completely off. Partly, their hooves are better prepared for the environment they will be working on. Diet and exercise play a part as well. Maybe rather than just looking at shoes, we could be looking at the racehorses lifestyle to see how we can help their hold up for the few minutes it takes to get around the track each time.

[ihmckin]

Could not agree any more. I'm sure they don't pack and grease endurance horse's hooves everyday and they probably carry about a half inch more hoof. if you are familiar with their hoof care, please pass it on. thanks again

[patslark]

When you dissect a cadaver hoof you can always tell the shod hoof from the bare. Grooves from the toe clips and nails will often show up in the coffin bone. What we put on the hoof will eventually be reflected inside the hoof, on the bone. I don't care how unique a shoe is, pounding nails into the hoofcapsule and the need to force a hoof capsule to flare in order to have something to nail a shoe to isn't condusive to a healthy hoof. Period.

[ihmckin]

Thanks for your insight, it is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately in the racing industry they have to wear shoes because of how abrasive the tracks are. Without a shoe it would be a matter of days before the hoof would be worn down to the blood line. We will be posting a shoe that is totally flexible and glued on. Looking forward to your comments.

[hippitor]

If only horses could talk...they would say "Forget the shoes altogether and let me go barefoot!" :)

[patslark]

Ian, I apologize for my previous comments. I did not realize I was commenting on such a well respected farrier's thread.

[patslark]

Seriously Ian. I appreciate your non-combative responses. I really do. But that's an old argument. Everything else we do to horses is un-natural so we are just doing our part to help them. How, by adding to it. And even the shoes are not as much of an issue for the horse as the trim under them. THAT is what really wrecks their hooves. Consider checking out Garret Ford's webpage about a horse that wasn't allowed to race on the Easy Care Inc website. opening. Just google that.

[ihmckinlay]

@patslark Thanks for your response. In the ideal world, horses would be left to nature, just as you say. No shoes, No saddle, No rider, No enjoyment for the Rider, at the Horses expense. I'm in a industry, racing, jumpers, and pleasure riding where horses travel over terrain under loads that are anything but natural to them. My goal is to help horses deal with the UN-natural. If the world changes, I will be out of a job. All that being said, you are correct, barefoot is best for the horse. Ian

[patslark]

I think I know a little bit more about what I'm talking about than you do. But you can continue to fool yourself about what your doing to horse hooves. No where in NATURE does it say nailing our crap onto a horse's hoof is a good idea!

[shaneshaneshoer]

@patslark ? you have a misconception about horseshoeing. "flair"- distortion of the hoof wall, is not desired any old shoeing book will tell you that right away. With a barefoot no less than 50% of the hoof wall should be removed,however in some cases the front or dorsal surface needs reduction for proper angle and point of take off. This is when a shoe can be necessary to support temporarily thinned hoof wall until it "grows" straighter. Nailing into a straight hoof wall is not a problem.

[allegroequine14]

very great concept. my only question is how do you then shape the shoe to fit the individual horses hooves if the shoe just springs back into place?

[ezire]

Hmm, seem to me, that the industry is coming up with increasingly thinner and more flexible shoes. Barely shoes anymore. In that case, what is the purpose of the shoes? Keep farriers in the business? Complying with racing requirements, while mimic barefoot movements? 

[genevievehannon]

@ihmckin Perhaps horse racing is a cruel industry and horses should not be performing in that way then.

[Highroadgypsies]

I think that these shoes are great looking and seem to work in cooperation with the hoof. However, the downside is there is still a racing industry! The group I belong to does not agree with racing or any other sports involving horses. It is all based on industry and money and not about the horse at all. However, I do suppose that if you must be involved in industry, these shoes would be the way to go.