Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar

Call Us Today

425-891-0735

redrockequine@gmail.com

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Dr. Rothschild
  • Our Services
  • Our Policies and Payment Options
  • Client Resources
    • New Client Registration Form
  • Online Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • April Newsletter: The Importance of Shoes for Your Horse

April Newsletter: The Importance of Shoes for Your Horse

Veterinarian holds horse's face

The Importance of Shoes for Your Horse

Wondering if your horse really needs shoes? Shoeing offers a variety of advantages, including these important benefits:

Fewer Injuries

Your horse's hooves may be tough, but they're not invincible. Stepping on a jagged stone or walking on hard surfaces may cause a variety of injuries, including bruises, bursitis, and cracked, split or chipped hooves. If bacteria enters a crack or split in the hoof, your horse could develop an abscess, a painful bacterial infection.

Abscesses can cause lameness and can spread to the leg without treatment. Infections increase the risk of laminitis, a condition that occurs when the soft tissue that connects the pedal bone to the hoof becomes inflamed.

Horseshoes can't completely prevent hoof injuries, but they do reduce the risk of a potentially serious injury or infection. If you have a horse prone to weak hooves, such as thoroughbreds or Paint horses, shoes are a must. Without horseshoes, these horses may be more likely to injure their hooves.

Better Traction

Even a slight stumble on uneven or slippery ground can lead to a devastating fall. Shoes provide more traction and decrease the risk of a pulled muscle, fractured bone or head injury due to a fall. If your horse regularly walks on muddy or slippery surfaces, your farrier may recommend welding a composite or tube rod to the shoes for extra traction. Other ways to increase traction include adding rim shoes, studs or heel caulk.

Reduced Joint Stress

Does your horse have arthritis? Shoes could reduce wear and tear on the joints and decrease your horse's comfort. According to a 2019 article in The Horse, shoes can improve side-to-side balance of the hooves, which eases stress on the joints. Shoes also help distribute shock evenly over the foot and keep the heels properly positioned.

A Solution to Foot Issues

Horseshoes may improve your horse's gait and decrease complications due to physical defects. A horse that has balance issues could benefit from shoes that adequately support the hoof capsule. Shoes can play an important role in ensuring proper foot and leg development in foals and may improve conformity by offering additional support.

If your horse has laminitis, wearing shoes can prevent the condition from worsening, keep the pedal bone properly aligned, and make your horse more comfortable. Ringbone, Cushing's disease, white line disease and other conditions may also affect your horse's hooves. If your horse has a chronic disease or condition, ask your equine veterinarian is shoeing would be helpful.

Protection for Hard-Working Horses

Shoes provide extra support and traction for for working horses and horses that compete in equestrian events. The shoes are particularly important if your horse walks or runs on a variety of surfaces when working, competing, or practicing.

The type of shoes your horse needs will depend on the event, the surfaces your horse encounters, and the amount of grip and support needed. Your equine veterinarian can work with your farrier to find the best shoes for your horse's activity level.

Want to find out if shoeing could help your horse? Call us to schedule an appointment with the equine veterinarian.

Sources:

American Farriers Journal: Farrier Tips: Basics of What to Apply to Shoes for Traction, 4/14/2012

https://www.americanfarriers.com/articles/4129-farrier-tips-basics-of-what-to-apply-to-shoes-for-traction

The Horse: How Healthy Horse Hooves Help Arthritic Joints, 10/18/2019

https://thehorse.com/110605/hooves-helping-joints/

Practical Horseman: To Shoe or Not to Shoe?, 9/4/2018

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/to-shoe-or-not-to-shoe/

Horse & Hound: H&H Question of the Week: to Shoe, or Not to Shoe – Should My Horse Go Barefoot? 3/2018

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/why-do-horses-need-shoes-645314

Horse & Country TV: Do Horses Need Shoes? The Pros and Cons of Shoeing

https://horseandcountry.tv/en-us/why-do-horses-need-shoes-horse-shoeing-guide

No article settings found. Please configure it

No form settings found. Please configure it.
  • For Veterinarians

    We promise to work provide you, your client and patient with the highest ethical standards, the best customer service and excellence in veterinary medical services.
    Veterinarian Referral Form
  • What do we do?

    We strive to provide the most up-to-date and caring veterinary services to horses of all categories weather the fancy performance or the family pet horse.
    Our Services

Monday:

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Tuesday:

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday:

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Thursday:

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Friday:

9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Our Coverage Area

Approximately 40 min from Headquarters

    No testimonials found. Please add

Articles for Horse Owners

Dozens of articles are available here to help you understand what is going on with your horse... New Articles are added every few days.

    October Newsletter: How a Coggins Test Can Detect Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

    Concerned about equine infectious anemia? A Coggins Test can help you ensure your horse is healthy. ...

    Read More

    September Newsletter: The Importance of Parasite Control for Horses

    Need a little help protecting your horse from parasites? ...

    Read More

    August Newsletter: The Importance of Wellness Exams for Senior Horses

    Wondering if your senior horse should have a wellness exam? ...

    Read More

    July Newsletter: What Causes Nerve Damage in Horses?

    Wondering why your horse has nerve damage? ...

    Read More

    June Newsletter: How Often Should You Groom Your Horse?

    Wondering when you should groom your horse? ...

    Read More

    May Newsletter: Does Your Horse Have Arthritis?

    Are you worried that your horse may have arthritis? ...

    Read More

    April Newsletter: The Importance of Shoes for Your Horse

    Could shoes help your horse? ...

    Read More

    March Newsletter: The Facts about Foal Nutrition

    Do you know how to meet your foal's nutritional needs? ...

    Read More

    February Newsletter: What Safe Changes You Can Make To Your Horse's Feed

    Do you need to switch your horse's diet? ...

    Read More

    January Newsletter: Keep Your Horse Safe from Worsening Tendon and Ligament Injuries

    Worried that your horse's tendon or ligament injury may get worse? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Payment is expected at the time of service

We accept credit cards, cash, checks and CareCredit

No social media links found. Please configure it