Why Do Horses Need Horseshoes?

There have long been debates surrounding horseshoeing and whether or not it’s necessary for all horses. So, if you find yourself asking “Why do horses wear shoes?” you’ve come to the right place.

Now I’m not talking about a nice pair of trainers for your horse. I’m talking about the U-shaped metal plate attached to their hooves.

In this article, we’re looking at everything you need to know about horseshoeing, including if horses should wear shoes, how they work, the pros, cons, and possible alternatives.

Horses need horseshoes for protection, support, and balance, especially when their hooves are exposed to surfaces or activities that exceed what their hooves can handle naturally.

While wild horses don’t wear shoes, their hooves grow and naturally wear down from constant movement over varied terrain. Domesticated horses often lack this natural wear due to softer ground, confinement, or inconsistent exercise, requiring intervention from an experienced farrier.

Horseshoes, such as nailed-on shoes, protect hooves from cracking or excessive wear on hard or abrasive surfaces. They also offer traction for performance horses or support for those with specific hoof issues, like laminitis. For horse owners, partnering with a farrier is key to keeping hooves healthy through regular trimming and shoeing adjustments.

Not every horse wears shoes; some do well barefoot with proper care. However, when shoes are necessary, they ensure the horse remains comfortable and sound while adapting to their workload and environment.

What Exactly Are Horseshoes?

Horseshoes have been around since the early domestication of horses – 6,000 years ago. They were primarily used for working horses to prevent any damage to the hoof that might put a heavy lifter out of work.

If you’ve ever wondered about the symbolism of horseshoes and why they are considered lucky, you can read more about it here.

Remember, back then, horses were needed in agriculture and mining, without them, some industries would come to a standstill.

So, it makes sense why humans would want to find a way to prevent their trusty steeds from getting hurt or sick from the hoof upwards.

You might wonder about wild horses, after all, they don’t need horseshoes. But domesticated horses run and live in very different environments. Wild horses’ hooves develop differently from domesticated horses’ feet. Think about it, trail riding or riding in an arena versus outdoor mountain riding offer very different terrains.

Throughout history, horseshoes have come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Today, most horseshoes are made with steel or aluminium.

In its simplest form, a horseshoe compensates for some of the load on a horse’s hooves. That’s why most eventing horses wear shoes or hoof boots, they compensate for the pressure brought on by jumping and running.

Similarly, police horses wear shoes to compensate for the pressure from pavement walking.

The same goes for racers; racehorses wear shoes to grip surfaces while running at top speeds, pulling them across the finish line faster.

Side note, learn how fast a horse can run – the horseshoe thing might make a bit more sense once you do.

Some shoes even have studs like a football boot to give extra grip in the snow, ice or slippy grass

Additionally, horseshoes have medical purposes for issues like:

Hoof defects
Navicular syndrome
Ligament strains
Laminitis

Specialized shoes, such as bar shoes, are often used to provide additional support and stability for these conditions.

How Are Horseshoes Attached?

People that attach horseshoes are called farriers. They use a special type of nail to attach the shoe to the outer part of horses’ hooves.

Horseshoes have come a long way since their invention, and you can learn more about their history and development here.

Once the nail has gone through the outside part of the hoof, the top of the nail is trimmed and bent over resembling a type of hook (called clinching). From there the farrier begins to file any sharp pieces of the hoof wall and clinched nails away, ensuring that the shoe fits the hoof correctly.

Like human nails, the hoof will grow out and begin growing over the shoe, this indicates that it’s time for a new horseshoe session.

How Often Do Horses Need Shoes?

Generally, if a horse has no injuries or medical conditions their shoes should last about four to six weeks. But each horse is different, so keep an eye on horse hooves to ensure they aren’t growing over the shoe too quickly.

The farrier will trim and file the horses foot every 4 to 8 weeks to enure they don’t grow too long

Do All Horses Need Shoes?

You might be thinking, why do horses need shoes to begin with? The truth is, not all horses require shoes, and it’s totally fine for horses to go barefoot if that’s what you as an owner decide. But there are several reasons why you might consider putting horseshoes on your riding companion:

Consider the activity: You need to look at the types of activities you’re doing with your horse. If your horse spends most of its time on well-maintained soft surfaces then there shouldn’t be a need for shoes. However, if you’re taking your horse anywhere near rocky or rough terrain horseshoes can protect the hoof from a variety of injuries.
Sensitive hoofs: Just like human feet, some horses’ hoofs are more sensitive. If your horse struggles on anything other than soft grass, horseshoes are probably your best option.
Lameness: Unfortunately, some horses suffer from lameness which can affect the entire hoof. Horseshoes can protect the hoof by providing cushioning, supporting the alignment, and reducing pressure.
Individual need: As an owner, you ultimately decide whether or not your horse should be fitted with horseshoes. You need to consider the breed, their medical needs, and comfort. Speaking with a specialist farrier is highly recommended to help you make the right choice for your animal.
Activity levels: If you have a busy body that is non-stop on the go from dusk to dawn then horseshoes can provide protection and support to ensure they can go about their days without increased risk of injury or strain.

Regardless of whether you choose to horseshoe your trusty steed, maintaining hoof health is vital to the overall condition of your animal.

Your horse’s hoof type, workload and surfaces it works on will determine it’s shoeing requirements

Do Horseshoes Hurt Horses?

We’ll be the first to say that horseshoes don’t look comfortable, but that doesn’t mean that they hurt your horse.

A horse hoof is made up of an outer capsule that protects internal structures like ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and tendons. The capsule is connected to the internal structure through a tissue structure (lamella).

The capsule itself is made from keratin, that’s the stuff that makes up your hair and fingernails, pretty cool right?

So, when the nails attach to the hoof it goes into the outer hoof wall, which like your hair strands, has no feeling. Imagine hammering your hair into a wall, you wouldn’t feel the nail go through your hair, would you?

However, if you accidentally nailed your ear, you would feel that. It’s the same with horses, incorrect nail placement can be very painful and possibly lead to infection, that’s why finding a specialist farrier is important.

To answer the question, do horseshoes hurt riding horses, no, they shouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean extra care shouldn’t be taken. Shoeing horses is a very specialized skill.

Horseshoes don’t hurt the horse if the shoes are fitted by a professional farrier

Are There Dangers to Horseshoeing?

There aren’t imminent dangers, except for what we mentioned above with the nail being misplaced causing infection or pain.

However, it’s still important that horseshoes fit correctly to avoid your horses feeling uncomfortable. Like when we wear shoes that are too small, incorrect horseshoe sizes can make horses sore or uncomfortable. In the long term, it may even cause structural damage to the hoof.

Unfortunately, once the internal structures of a hoof are damaged, it’s a long hard road to fix them. But while the incorrect horseshoes can cause damage, the same goes for not putting shoes on horse hooves. If a rock or stick gets into the internal structure, there’s a chance for damage too.

Are There Alternatives to Horseshoeing?

After all this, you might be wondering if horseshoes are the only option for your riding partner. Luckily, there are some alternatives you can consider:

Hoof boots: Hoof boots are less permanent protection that you can put on when necessary. They are usually made from plastic, rubber, or vinyl. You can also keep them on at all times because they have the required airflow. Plus, they can last upwards of a year depending on activities.
Wooden shoes: Once the hoof is trimmed, the wooden shoe is glued to the bottom of the hoof. These shoes are usually for therapy when a horse is injured as it stabilizes the capsule while letting the hoof wall grow.
Glue-on shoes: If a horse has hoof defects that prevent the nails from being placed, a glue-on shoe is made with aluminium like the regular shoes, but they simply glue on.

So, if you want your horse to have shoes but aren’t entirely sold on the nail application, then one of these alternatives might be able to help.

The Pros and Cons of Horseshoes

Before we finish up, let’s look at the pros and cons of horseshoeing your riding companion:

Pros:

Protects the walls of the hooves.
Enhances equestrian performance, particularly jumping.
Can treat painful hoof conditions.
Protects the internal structures of the hoof.

Cons:

Horseshoes are expensive.
Risk of losing shoes, particularly when long-distance riding.
Mistakes during application may cause structural damage to the hoof wall.
Possibility of weakening the natural hoof.

There are various types of horseshoes available, each designed to meet specific needs, from performance to therapeutic applications.

FAQ

What age should a horse wear shoes?

Baby horse hooves are incredibly sensitive, they need time to grow and get used to the feeling of walking. You should only consider horseshoeing once a horse is fully matured. Some foals may need horseshoes earlier for medical conditions, that’s why we recommend starting the relationship between foal and farrier as early as possible.

Can I ride my horse if it’s lost a shoe?

In general, it’s best to stop riding your horse as soon as it’s lost a shoe to prevent any damage or unwanted injuries.

How often should horseshoes be replaced or adjusted?

Horseshoes generally need to be replaced or adjusted every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly your horse’s hooves grow and how much wear the shoes endure. Some horses may need more frequent adjustments if they’re working on hard surfaces or have specific hoof issues. Regular trims from your farrier help keep hoof shape balanced and healthy during each reset.

Can horseshoes cause discomfort or pain to horses?

Yes, if they’re not properly fitted or maintained. Common causes of discomfort include:

Incorrectly applied nails: Nails placed too close to sensitive areas can cause pain or even infection.
Shoes that are too tight or loose: Either situation can result in bruising or uneven pressure.
Overgrown hooves: If shoes aren’t replaced in time, hoof growth can lead to imbalance or discomfort.

When done right, horseshoes shouldn’t cause pain. Always keep an eye out for signs like limping, reluctance to move, or heat in the hooves, which might indicate a problem.

How can I tell if my horse is benefiting from wearing shoes?

A horse benefits from shoes if they provide protection, traction, or help address hoof health issues. Indicators your horse is doing well with shoes include:

Comfortable movement: No limping, tripping, or sensitivity on different surfaces.
Healthy hoof growth: Hooves are in good condition with no cracking or chipping.
Improved performance: Shoes can enhance grip and reduce strain for working or performance horses.

If your horse seems uncomfortable or their hooves aren’t thriving, consult your farrier or vet to determine whether shoes are truly necessary.

Why Do Horses Need Horseshoes?