Whether you shoe your horse or not, it comes down to its specific needs and what kind of terrain you have.Some horses do well without shoes, while others need them to live a pain-free life.Your horse's hooves get a lot of wear, the type of work your horse does, and the amount of pain it causes are all factors that should be taken into account when determining whether or not you need shoes.
Step 1: Your horse may have sore or bruised hooves.
When your horse's hooves hurt, it can move its body in a variety of ways.At rest, the horse will keep shifting its weight, resting different feet in turn.The horse can only stand for a short time on each foot.The horse may have a problem walking on rocky ground.The steps might be cautious or refuse to move.The undersides of the horse's hooves are tender so they may appear to step cautiously or slowly.
Step 2: The hoof should be checked for signs of damage.
Look at the sole, frog, and bulbs of the heel.Look for redness, inflammation, or bruised areas, as well as any cracks or breaks.There are Bruises on the underside of the horse's hooves.There is an area just inside the front walls with the sole of the hoof.The ridge is at the center of the hoof.The bulbs are at the back of the hoof.Pick the hoof to see the underlying surface.
Step 3: Determine if your horse has a bruise.
There may be an internal problem if you can't see any damage to the hoof.Lift the hoof and use hoof pincers to look for a bruised sole.Place the pincers so that one head is in contact with the sole and the other is over the hoof outer wall to make it easier to apply pressure.The horse responds to pain by pulling the hoof away.It's possible that your horse has an injury to its sole.
Step 4: Consider putting shoes on hooves that are bruised or sore.
It is possible to give a horse relief by putting shoes on it.The hoof is lifted from the ground by a layer of steel in shoes.The deeper the shoe, the less impact stones can have on the hoof.If the hooves are trimmed and cared for properly, a shoe can protect the inner area of the hoof from further impacts.External boots that your horse can wear over their hooves are another consideration.When your horse is out of the stall, these provide relief.You can either keep the horse on the ground or keep it unshod.Without shoes you will not be able to use your horse for as many activities as you can, and the horse is more likely to tread on stones and cause further damage to its hoof.
Step 5: Some wear is normal.
The horse hoofs are growing.The ideal situation is one where the rate of growth is balanced by the wear.This is unlikely to happen.Nature takes account of this with the unshod foot by allowing small pieces of weight bearing hoof to chip away, as a means of trimming back excess growth.You can talk to your vet if you are having a hard time figuring out what is normal wear.You can clarify what you need to look for if you have them look at your horse's hooves.
Step 6: Look for signs of wear.
The hoof is made from the same material as our finger nails.Just like a nail that chips doesn't hurt, hooves are not painful.If the crack travels up toward the band, it can be a problem.The owner of an unshod horse needs to be alert for signs of wear.There are excessive chips on the hoof surface.
Step 7: Hoof wear causes hairline splits.
On a daily basis, the length, depth, and width should be monitored.Seek the advice of a farrier who specializes in hoof care if it widens to a crack or extends past the sole.The sensitive nerves, blood vessels, and bone inside can be exposed if the hoof splits.It is possible to hold a split hoof together by wearing shoes that protect the bottom edge of the hoof.An unshod hoof needs regular inspection for signs of wear that require the support of a shoe to stop a crack.Don't work the horse while waiting for the farrier.
Step 8: Look for hooves that are falling apart.
The hooves are not strong enough to be in direct contact with the ground.The hoof becomes sick if this is the case.It's a strong indication that shoes are required.The hoof wall begins to fall in the earlier stages.The hooves look like the end of a cigar if ignored.The hoof is not tough enough and needs protection from shoes.
Step 9: The horse will be walking on rocky ground.
If your horse does not have shoes, the ground can cause pain.It's likely to bruise the sole of the hoof.A shoe lowers the impact on the underside of the hoof.The shoes can help horses navigate.
Step 10: There is a horse doing roadwork.
Roadwork can wear down hooves without shoes, as it's very abrasive and wears the hoof down faster than it grows.This causes the horse to walk on its sole and it is very painful.Most likely, your horse will be shod if it works on the road frequently.
Step 11: You can give your horse extra grip by wearing shoes.
Natural landscape such as pasture, soil, or grassland are best dealt with by unshod hooves.Many other surfaces horses are expected to work on do not provide good grip.The grip your horse needs will be given by shoes.When your horse is walking on icy ground or pavement, it may need more grip.
Step 12: It is possible to make agility movements easier by using shoes.
When there are demands for extreme agility placed on your horse, shoes can be very useful.A lot of twisting, turning, and jumping is included in this.It is advisable to wear shoes in these situations.Studs or cork can be put into the shoes to prevent the horse from slipping.
Step 13: Determine if the horse's toe grows faster than the heel.
Some parts of the hoof grow faster than others.The angle of an unshod hoof changes if the toe grows faster than the heel.The pain is caused by the bulb of the heel hitting the ground with each step.The heels of these horses are elevated by putting a shoe on them.When the horse takes a step, its pain will be alleviated because it won't knock this delicate structure.A blocky, upright horse with this tendency has a long slipper like hoof.
Step 14: There are horses with small hooves that are good candidates for shoes.
Some horses have small hooves.The hooves wear down more quickly than they grow when there is more pressure on them.These animals need shoes.If your horse's hooves need to be shod, talk to your farrier or vet.
Step 15: Get your horse shoes.
A horse with a physical problem can be helped with shoes.These shoes are created by farriers and involve changing the distribution of the horse's weight when standing.It can make the animal more comfortable and relieve pressure on a sore joint.If your horse has long toes and short heels, these shoes can help it walk.The pressure on the inner bone of the hoof can be alleviated with a shoe that raises the heels.