Does my horse need shoes?

Horses are self-trimming and adapt to their environment in the wild, so their hooves vary in shape and hardness according to the local terrain. For instance, horses in dry areas are more likely to have shorter, more rounded and harder hooves, while horses in wetter areas will have longer walls that break away easily.

Domestic horses are unable to wear their hooves in this way due to the different lifestyles, which is why they need regular treatment from a farrier, regardless of whether they wear shoes.

Horseshoes have been used in some fashion since 400 BC to protect the hoof from excessive wear and tear. In more recent times, shoes have also been used to alter the way a horse moves in order to treat lameness or abnormal movement – such as locking stifle – and to prevent further injury.

Not every horse needs shoes, and when making this decision, you should consider your horse as an individual. Whether your horse needs shoes may depend on their hoof condition and growth, health and soundness, conformation, workload and environment. You could have two horses living very similar lives and doing the same work at the same place, and one would benefit from shoes of some kind while the other may thrive without.

Horseshoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but in some cases can also be further adapted to meet the individual needs of each horse.

Horseshoes can also come in a range of materials – steel and aluminium are most common, while plastic and composite shoes are sometimes used in remedial farriery cases. Aluminium shoes are often used on racehorses as they’re lighter, while plastic shoes offer flexible hoof protection for horses that suffer from arthritis. These are also often used on rear hooves to reduce the risk of injury to other horses.

Different horseshoe shapes provide additional support to specific parts of the hoof. 

For example, straight bar shoes have a bar below the heel that offers more support in soft ground and reduces the deep sinking of the rear hoof section, whereas a heart bar shoe has a V-shaped bar that extends to cover the frog and are often used for horses that either have a circulatory problem in the hoof as the bar helps to improve blood circulation.

Concave shoes have a sloping internal edge, and they are fullered (grooved) through the toe to achieve extra traction with less weight.

When looking at your horse’s hoof conformation and health, you want to see a smooth and strong hoof wall that is free of blemishes, cracks, splits or peeling, and the heels and bars should appear strong. Each front and each hind foot should be the same size and shape to its pair, while the frog should be rubbery or callused, and extend about 60% of the hoof length.

The front and hind hooves are actually quite different in shape. While the front hoof is round and the widest point is usually the midpoint between heel and toe, hinds are much narrower. Hind hooves also usually have a steeper angle (around 50-55° to the ground), whereas front feet are closer to 45°.

There are two simple yet essential steps you can take to ensure good hoof care.

Firstly, irrespective of the time of year and regardless of whether a horse is stable or field-kept, you should pick out your horse’s hooves at least once a day to ensure good hygiene and regular monitoring. While picking them out, take the opportunity to check for any stones, debris, cracks or splits. If your horse is shod, check the shoes for wear and tear, raised clenches, and fit.

Secondly, choose a good farrier, and arrange for regular visits. To find a registered farrier in your area, visit the Farriers Registration Council.

Horses without shoes still need regular attention from a farrier – how often will depend on how fast their hooves grow and how their hooves wear. In general, it’s recommended that they’re assessed every four to six weeks, but some horses can go longer in the winter if the growth slows, and there are no serious imbalances to deal with. Barefoot trimmers may advise even more regularly than this.

During the transition phase when shoes have been removed, it’s common that your horse’s hooves will need attention more regularly than they did with shoes.

Horses usually need reshoeing every four to six weeks, but some horses can manage with slightly less frequent visits depending on how fast their hooves grow and what type of work they’re in. Your farrier will be able to advise on the most appropriate shoeing cycle for your horse, and this may change throughout the year.

The cost of shoeing a horse depends on a few factors: where you are in the country, the type of shoes and your farrier’s experience. A full set of four shoes is likely to cost between £70 and £120, but this will increase if your horse has any additional requirements, such as pads or special shoes.

Remedial farriery provides specialist shoeing to aid in the treatment of lameness cases. Remedial farriers have undertaken additional training and often work alongside vets to provide expert care. This is usually more expensive, but is a benefit of having a good horse insurance policy.

Common remedial farriery techniques include applying traditional or plastic shoes to alter hoof balance, sole packing, and using acrylic hoof fillers to repair hoof wall defects.

Remedial farriery is often used for:

• young foals with limb deformities
• lameness cases caused or affected by hoof imbalance
• traumatic hoof injuries
• laminitis cases

Unfortunately, there are plenty of common foot issues that you’re likely to encounter as a horse owner at some point.

Bruising and bruised soles

This can be caused by accidental injury, such as treading on a stone or another hard object; poor-fitting shoes, or excessive work on hard ground.

Hoof cracks

These can range from a minor cosmetic blemish to a serious cause of lameness and pain. Most run vertically, but they can also run horizontally, parallel to the coronary band.

Vertical cracks that begin at the coronary band and run downward are known as ‘sand cracks’, whereas cracks that originate from the bottom of the hoof wall are called ‘grass cracks’. Most hoof cracks require minor treatment from a farrier and are easily put right by ensuring good hoof balance and well-fitting shoes. Your vet may advise foot balance X-rays to help your farrier achieve the best result.

Thrush and hoof abscesses

Thrush is a bacterial infection caused by consistent exposure to poor environmental conditions, while a hoof abscess is an infection that forms a pocket of pus in the foot. Both can be caused by similar conditions, such as dirty bedding and muddy or very wet paddocks.

In the winter, you must take additional precautions to prevent problems such as thrush or abscesses. Avoid leaving your horse to stand in wet muddy fields – bring them in for a few hours each day to dry out if possible, or ensure they have an area of dry standing available at all times. If your horse is stabled, ensure they are mucked out well and provided with plenty of clean, dry bedding.

Laminitis

Laminitis has a range of potential causes and is most often seen in horses with a hormonal imbalance, such as Cushing’s disease or equine metabolic syndrome. The risk of developing laminitis is doubled when a horse is obese.

Nail bind

This occurs when a horseshoe nail is driven too close to the sensitive part of a horse's hoof.

Navicular syndrome

A degenerative condition that affects the navicular bone (that sits behind the pedal bone) and surrounding tissues

Degenerative joint disease

A chronic disease in which the cartilage wears down causing swelling, heat and pain.

Regular farrier visits are the best way to prevent common foot problems. Your farrier may also advise using treatments such as a hoof moisturiser – to address brittle hoof – or a supplement to encourage quality growth, depending on the condition of your horse’s hooves.