Horse shoeing is a centuries-old practice that has become today an essential part of equine care. Often perceived as a routine procedure, it’s important to understand what it involves and how it’s carried out, to ensure the health and well-being of the well-being of the animal.
Horse shoeing in a nutshell...
By definition, shoeing a horse involves attaching metal shoes to the animal’s hooves. Horseshoes are U-shaped pieces of metal attached to the hooves with nails adapted to the procedure.
Shoeing must be carried out by a professional, called a farrier.
Why should I shoe my horse?
Shoeing horses is essential for a variety of reasons:
To combat wear and tear
Over time, horses’ hooves are subject to natural wear and tear. Shoeing helps to reduce this excessive wear and tear, thus avoiding pain and health problems.
To correct faulty plumbing
In this case, shoeing is seen as an orthopedic act. But beware, orthopedics in horses is only performed in two cases :
– when the foal is less than six months old ;
– when the plumbness of the foot is defective below the fetlock.
Please note : no attempt should be made to modify a horse’s plumbness. There is no ideal plumb to impose on the animal. However, horses can be helped when they are suffering from premature wear and tear.
Do you need help?
The book “Myologie du cheval: muscle par muscle” by Julia Prevel can help you and discover your horse’s anatomy in a fun way.
In case of illness
Certain illnesses, such as laminitis, bleeding, seizures or even a require therapeutic shoeing.
To improve a horse’s locomotion
Shoeing a horse enables it to improve its movements. This is called kinesitherapy shoeing. For example, metal shoes offer better traction, which is particularly this is particularly important for horses working on slippery surfaces or for those engaged in sporting activities. In fact, some racehorses are shod with aluminium or plastic shoes to improve their stride amplitude.
Note : horses can live and work barefoot – this is called physiological trimming.
How is a horse shod?
– Assessment
The farrier evaluates the horse’s hooves to determine whether they require specific shoeing. He must examine the wear of existing shoes if they are already in place.
– Hoof cleaning
Hooves are first cleaned by removing dirt, debris and old nails.
– Measuring
The farrier measures the hooves to determine the size and shape of the required. They are then adjusted to fit the horse’s hooves perfectly.
– Fixing the shoes
The shoes are attached to the hooves using suitable nails. The farrier must to avoid injury to the horse.
– Finishing
Once fixed, the shoes are carefully adjusted to ensure the animal’s comfort and to the animal. Edges are often filed to avoid the risk of injury.
– Regular monitoring
After shoeing, it is essential to monitor the condition of hooves and shoes to detect any detect any problems, such as displaced shoes or excessive hoof or excessive hoof growth.
What are the farrier's tools?
The angularity compass or goniometer
Used to measure interphalangeal angularity when trimming.
The derivator
It is used to straighten the end of nails in order to defer a horse properly.
The rasp
Useful for removing shavings and leaving the hoof’s bearing surface clean.
The hoof trimmer
Used to trim excess horn from the horse’s hoof.
The tricoise
These are sharp pincers useful for shoeing and unshoeing horses.
The hammer
Useful for driving nails without bending them.
The groove
Often shaped like scissors, this tool is used to cut hoof horn.
Riveting pliers
Used to bend the end of the nail and tighten the rivets against the hoof wall.
Maintaining your horse's hooves with correct trimming
Correct trimming must respect the alignment of the phalangeal axes in the sagittal, frontal and horizontal planes.
Caution : any disruption of the phalangeal axes leads to ligament tension and joint pressures.
This is why the phalangeal axis must be assessed at the start of trimming, as the growth of the horn swallow leads to a dislocation of the axis.
To remember : The foot’s center of gravity is located on the median axis of the foot, slightly behind the tip of the fork.
The balance of the foot can be modified on the longitudinal axis as well as on the transverse axis of the foot.
A certain aplomb, foot accidents or illnesses can lead to stress on anatomical formations (joints, tendons, ligaments, etc.).
The articular structures of the limbs are subjected to compressive stress. Ligament and tendon structures are subjected to tensile stress. Thus, to relieve compressive stress, it is necessary to and vice versa.
Clearly, by modifying the foot’s center of gravity, the entire limb’s axis of the entire limb.
As a result, the two phenomena of compression and stretching can be observed on the whole leg, with the compensations that this imposes:
– muscular contractures ;
– muscular, through hyper- or hypotrophy ;
– bone, through the appearance of suros ;
– tendinous through desmitis ;
– tendinitis ;
– hyperlaxity ;
– articular through wear and tear of cartilage.
Caution : the appearance of soft and hard tares is always a sign of a changing balance.
Care for your horses' hooves
Use tar : this is especially recommended in winter, as it prevents sole and frog rot caused by dampness. It contains drying and antiseptic properties.
Use oils : to nourish, moisturize and soften your horse’s hooves.
Use greases : greases act as a barrier against humidity over the long term. They are also very useful for nourishing and moisturizing the hoof.