No More Lost Shoes
"What Keeps Shoes On & What Makes Them Lose Grip.
Of course, lost shoes are more than an inconvenience. Here is what
you need to know about keeping shoes on, what makes them lose
their grip and how you can work with your farrier to ensure that your
horse's footwear stays where it belongs.
"Conventional metal horseshoes are attached to the foot with five to
eight 1 3/4-inch nails, driven upward from the bottom of the foot--just
outside the white line--into the horny hoof wall. The farrier nips off
the nail tip where it emerges from the hoof wall and bends the end
downward, forming a clinch that grips the hoof and helps hold the
shoe in place.
Modern day farrier schedules call for new shoes every four to eight
weeks because of a simple reality: Normal wear and tear on the nail
heads, combined with the growth of the hoof wall, eventually loosen
even the best-set shoe.
An occasional lost shoe is no reason to fret: It's just a fact of life.
However, when a horse frequently loses or loosens his shoes, it's
time to investigate the reasons why.
The obvious place to start is with the hooves themselves. horse's
with naturally thin hoof walls that constantly crack and chip are going
to have a harder time holding on to shoes. Although a horse's hoof
quality is determined primarily by his genetics, you may be able to
improve it some through management or supplements.
In addition, consider whether your horse's conformation and
biomechanics contribute to his shoe troubles. Horses who are "built
downhill"--high in the croup and low at the withers--are often prone to
catching a front shoe, as are long-striders who naturally overreach.
In fact, even the most tightly set shoe can be pulled off when a
horse's hind foot overreaches, hits a front heel and catches the shoe.
Finally, review your hoof-care schedule. Although most horses can
go six to eight weeks between farrier visits, some need more frequent
care. Whatever your horse's ideal schedule, it's important to keep up
with it. When hoof care lapses, the toe grows too long and the shoe
is pushed forward; this delays breakover and places stress on the
shoe, weakening the nails.
you need to know about keeping shoes on, what makes them lose
their grip and how you can work with your farrier to ensure that your
horse's footwear stays where it belongs.
"Conventional metal horseshoes are attached to the foot with five to
eight 1 3/4-inch nails, driven upward from the bottom of the foot--just
outside the white line--into the horny hoof wall. The farrier nips off
the nail tip where it emerges from the hoof wall and bends the end
downward, forming a clinch that grips the hoof and helps hold the
shoe in place.
Modern day farrier schedules call for new shoes every four to eight
weeks because of a simple reality: Normal wear and tear on the nail
heads, combined with the growth of the hoof wall, eventually loosen
even the best-set shoe.
An occasional lost shoe is no reason to fret: It's just a fact of life.
However, when a horse frequently loses or loosens his shoes, it's
time to investigate the reasons why.
The obvious place to start is with the hooves themselves. horse's
with naturally thin hoof walls that constantly crack and chip are going
to have a harder time holding on to shoes. Although a horse's hoof
quality is determined primarily by his genetics, you may be able to
improve it some through management or supplements.
In addition, consider whether your horse's conformation and
biomechanics contribute to his shoe troubles. Horses who are "built
downhill"--high in the croup and low at the withers--are often prone to
catching a front shoe, as are long-striders who naturally overreach.
In fact, even the most tightly set shoe can be pulled off when a
horse's hind foot overreaches, hits a front heel and catches the shoe.
Finally, review your hoof-care schedule. Although most horses can
go six to eight weeks between farrier visits, some need more frequent
care. Whatever your horse's ideal schedule, it's important to keep up
with it. When hoof care lapses, the toe grows too long and the shoe
is pushed forward; this delays breakover and places stress on the
shoe, weakening the nails.
CASCADE FARRIER SERVICE
Designed By Danell Mitchell Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
