There are many reasons that a horse might need shoes. Domestication is the top reason. As wild horses are constantly on the move, their feet become hard and wear themselves down to allow the horse for optimal performance.

Life is very different for the domesticated horse. They are often kept in small areas for many hours of the day, and ridden, or allowed to move around for only a small fraction of their lives. This prevents the hoof from wearing itself down, and becoming hard enough to handle rough terrain. Often if the hoof does wear itself down, the foot is too soft to handle it and could become sore. The hoof then requires protection, in the form of shoes, to prevent problems for the hooves, such as bruising, cracks, and over wearing.

Shoes are also used to give other modifications to horses movement such as easing break over, giving extra support, extra traction, less traction, different angles, as well as others.

There are many horses that will do fine without shoes. It could come in the genetics of the horse, or the lifestyle it lives. If desired, it might also come with proper trimming conditioning of the hooves. I would be more than glad to work with anyone who has barefoot horses, or anyone who is interested in giving it a try.

Seasonal shoeing is a popular choice for many horse owners. It allows for optimal performance during the warmer months, and natural feet for the colder months if the horse is not ridden as often.

There are certain questions I will ask a person before I can answer the question.

• Does your horse live in a stall or a pasture?
• What do you use the horse for?
• How often do you work your horse?

I will also need to see the feet and check them for certain things such as: moisture content of the foot (harder is better for bare feet, softer may need shoes), concavity, sole thickness, hoof wall thickness, sole pressure, contraction, and other things that will be decided on location.

The recommended time between shoeing is 6-8 weeks. This allows growth to be taken soon enough so that the horse stays comfortable, and at it's prime movement. Too much growth can cause cracking, house more thrush, change angles, cause strain on tendons and ligaments, change movement, and more.

6-8 weeks is also recommended for trims so things such as growth, balance, concavity, and flare can be addressed.

Sorry, I am not currently taking new clients.