Question: Shoeing FAQ -
Answer:
Your horse’s feet should be as healthy and his gaits should stay the same as before shoeing. The farrier will either hot shoe by shaping pre-made shoes with a forge and anvil, fitting the shoe to the shape of the foot while the metal is hot, or cold shoe by shaping a pre-made shoe without heating. (In some cases the farrier may make shoes out of iron bar but pre-made shoes are more often used. ) The farrier will trim the foot as normal. Then the shoe should be fitted to the hoof. The farrier should not trim or rasp the hoof to fit the shoe.
- Any clips on the shoe should lie flat against the wall of the hoof.
- The hoof should be balanced and level.
- Even though a shoe has been added the frog of the hoof should still touch the ground in soft soil.
- Traditionally there are three nails on the inside wall of the hoof and three on the outer wall of the hoof. If there are more or less ask why.
- The clinches, where the ends of the nails have been nipped off and bent down should lie tight against the wall of the hoof.
- The shoes should be chosen for the type of work anticipated. Light riding may not require as heavy a shoe as competitive carriage driving over rough terrain.
- The shoe should not extend past the hoof at any point and the hoof should not overhang the shoe.
