Express Equine Services

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     When to have Have your Horse shod

     Horseshoes are unnecessary under ideal conditions where the growth of the hoof equals or exceeds the wear on the hoof. The feet of a horse that is allowed to go barefoot must be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks as growth exceeds wear to maintain the proper functioning of the foot.

     The use of the horseshoe is at best a necessary evil. No matter how applied, it prevents the normal functioning of the foot. However, a properly made and fit horseshoe applied to a properly prepared hoof does very little damage to the foot. The aim of "physiological horseshoeing" is to minimize the harmful effects of the horseshoe, and to take advantage of its useful effects.

The horseshoe is a beneficial tool to:

• Protect the horse's foot from excessive wear and resulting tenderness when its continuous use is necessary.
• Provide traction when necessary for safety and/ or speed on slippery sufaces.
• Correct or influence the stance and/ or gait of the horse.
• Correct or improve "abnormal" and pathological conditions of the feet and legs.
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