MONTHLY FACTS:
To Shoe Or Not To Shoe........That Is the Question!?


This month lesson is all about the good and bad things about shoeing your horse. For one thing you have to ask yourself some very important questions.

Is it necessary?
What type of shoeing?
Will it benefit my horse?
What happens if you don't shoe?

Well all of these questions will have many possible answers. Well the purpose of shoeing is to protect your horses hooves from wearing away. Although the shod hoof is just as much maintenance as the unshod hoof. There are two types of shoeing, hot and cold. Hot shoeing is when the shoe is specially made for the horse's hoof. Cold shoeing is when the shoe is already made and only a few adjustments are needed. With most people hot shoeing is preferred! Types of Shoes (Below)
A
D
C
B
Hunter:  A) Left fore  B) Left Hind  C) Rolled toe  D) Grass tip

The Hunter shoe is a modified form of the plain stamped shoe, it is designed to meet the needs of a fast paced horse on grass.

The Grass Tip show is very thin and only a half length shoe. It protects the wall of the hoof from spliting. They should be replaced every 4 weeks or so.

However shoeing horses has its risks! The number one risk is Navicular. It is not a cureable disease, it can only be maintained. Navicular is mainly caused by poor shoeing.

The Unshod horse
The unshod horse saves money, as you don't have to pay for the shoes just a trim. The unshod horse has more secure grip on every type of surface. Also a injury from a kick of an unshod horse is less severe. You still need the horses hooves trimmed every 3 months. You are facing some risks with the unshod horse! Cracks in the wall and chipping may occur. I have never shod my horses and I have had no problems!




SO TO SHOE OR NOT TO SHOE IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU AND THEY BOTH HAVE GOOD AND BAD TO EACH! MAKE A WISE DESICION!

HAPPY SHOEING!!
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