Horseshoe : What is it?
| Horseshoes are pieces of U-shaped metal, rawhide, or synthetic material attached to a horse's hooves for protection, added weight, and traction. They can be attached by nails, glue, or fitted like shoes. Horseshoes are fitted by a farrier--a blacksmith who specializes in shoeing horses. They are usually custom-made because hooves come in different shapes and sizes. The horseshoes have to be changed constantly by the farrier. The feet of a growing horse can exceed the size of the horseshoes and can cause the feet to become sore and painful. |
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Kinds of Horseshoes include the following: |
Steel
Steel Horseshoes are the most common horsehoes used today.
They are ready-made.
They come in standard sizes.
They can be easily modified with little skill.
Aluminum
Aluminum Horseshoes are lighter than Steel Horseshoes.
They are commonly used for horses who engage in flat or harness racing.
They are also used for front barell horses where the weight of the horseshoes is critical.
They are recommended by veterinarians because they add greater thickness and width for maximum protection without adding weight.
Synthetic
Synthetic Horseshoes are made of solid rubber or plastic.
They have limited applications.
They are used for horses that work on hard surfaces or those with pathological conditions.
Full Synthetic Horseshoes are used for horses with Thrush disease because they cover the entire sole and trap moisture.
The rim type Synthetic Horseshoes are not very stable, as they have the tendency to shift.
Titanium
Titanium Horseshoes are used for race horses, as they can easily bend those made of aluminum.
They are strong yet lightweight.
They are fitted only in the front hooves where the horses are likely to bend them.
They are also commonly used for jumpers and barrel horses that make sharp turns at fast speeds.
Brass
Brass is the metal used for making traditional horseshoes and for those worn by horses used in mines.
They are nailed onto the hooves with brass nails.
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Traction: For performance horses (show jumpers or eventers), choose horseshoes with traction devices like studs, borium, rims, and calks. They keep the horses steady and balanced when running over different types of terrain at high speeds.
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