Our pleasure, our responsibility, the horses we love rely upon us to make the best decisions on their behalf, not just for daily maintenance, but also for continued comfort and long-term quality of life. One of the fundamental decisions we make for our horses is the shoe. Here’s a quick look at the various types of shoes and the pros and cons of each. We also look at the barefoot movement which is once again growing in popularity. (As always when it comes to shoes, consult your farrier for specifics regarding your horse.)
Steel Horseshoes
Steel horseshoes are the most common type used. They’re durable and provide good traction.
Pros: Very good for horses with high activity levels, providing excellent traction on all surfaces and helping protect the hooves from wear and tear.
Cons: Steel horseshoes can be very heavy, which might cause the horse to raise its knees higher and/or cause fatigue.
Aluminum Horseshoes
Aluminum horseshoes are lightweight and popular among performance horses. They provide good traction and allow for a flatter, lighter stride.
Pros: Their lighter weight translates to less fatigue and they provide good traction.
Cons: Not as durable as steel shoes, aluminum shoes can be costly and not suitable for horses with excessive activity levels.
Plastic Horseshoes
Lightweight and flexible, plastic horseshoes are a popular alternative to steel or aluminum shoes for horses who need more comfort.
Pros: Lightweight and nicely flexible, plastic horseshoes offer more comfort and might be ideal for horses with lameness issues.
Cons: Not as durable as steel or aluminum shoes, and can be slippery on some surfaces.
Rubber Horseshoes
Rubber Horseshoes are another lightweight option, one that delivers good traction and some shock absorption.
Pros: Ideal for horses with sensitive hooves, rubber horseshoes are a lightweight and shock absorbing alternative to steel, aluminum, or plastic shoes.
Cons: Less durable than steel or aluminum, not suitable for some horses with higher activity levels, and may be slippery on some surfaces.
Barefoot
Some horse owners prefer not to use horseshoes at all and let their horses go barefoot. It’s a practice that’s becoming more popular among some riding circles.
Pros: Improves circulation and promotes natural hoof growth, saves money on the cost of shoeing, and allows for better traction and flexibility for some horses.
Cons: Hooves can become bruised, damaged, or worn down in the horse is kept or ridden on hard or rocky surfaces. May not be suitable for horses with weak or damaged hooves. Doesn’t offer adequate support for some competition horses.
What do you prefer for your horse? We’ve always used steel and aluminum shoes and would love to hear from riders who’ve tried some of these other options.
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