How to Decide if Your Horse Needs Shoes

October 9th, 2011 | Posted by admin in Uncategorized

Not every horse requires being shod but in certain cases, it is the advisable thing to do. All horses do need to have their hooves trimmed by a farrier at least every two to three months, especially if they are stalled a great deal or in a soft grass pasture most of the time. Horses’ hooves are like our fingernails as they grow quickly and if not properly tended to, then they will crack or split which can cause damage to the upper hoof or the frog (the soft inside of the hoof). If the hoof grows too long, then it can greatly hinder the animal’s ability to walk or cause them to become lame.
Some people will ride their horses on rough ground such as a rocky area or concrete but they run the risk of the horse getting stone bruises on the frog or chipping too much of a hoof which again can create lameness. If the horse owner does a lot of riding on concrete or shale, then it is advisable to keep the horse shod. It protects the hooves and the animal’s legs. As hooves do grow quickly, it is the best idea to have the horse re-shod or hooves trimmed on a regular basis.

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