How To Shoe A Horse Without Risk

The operation of the farrier to shoe a horse is an important and delicate moment that depends on the use that will be made, in the future, of the animal. It is an ancient work that must be done to protect and preserve the hooves of each horse. If you have or work with this type of animals, you know very well that shoeing must be done in a correct and delicate way, to avoid unnecessary suffering to the horse and thus protect its health and comfort.

A discourse that obviously interests work or saddle horses, since wild specimens can run and gallop with their “naked” hooves. Natural wear is enough to guarantee the animal more than enough stability.

However, when an animal is moved from its natural habitat , it involves a whole host of changes to its lifestyle. Domesticated horses must undergo trimming, shoeing  and periodic shoe maintenance. All to protect the legs and improve their performance when the animal runs or works.

The technique of shoeing a horse is complex and requires specific knowledge. It is advisable to always contact a professional farrier ,  in order to avoid risks and safeguard the health of the animal.

Is it possible to shoe a horse without risk?

As we said before, the first tip is to choose a professional qualified in the art of horse trimming and shoeing. His experience is essential to ensure that the work is done  properly and safely.

In any case, before doing this, it will be necessary to  prepare the horse for shoeing. Many farriers know how to calm horses, but it’s not always easy. Each animal, as we know, has its own character and particular aspects of its personality. Before and during the operation, your four-legged friend may feel fear, frightened and is likely to respond aggressively to shoeing. Especially if it is his  “first time”.

This is why the number of owners who choose to shoe the horse when it is young is growing. During the “adolescent” phase, horses show a more malleable character, tend to trust more and show  curiosity for new things.

Shoe an adult horse

An adult horse has an already more solid temperament and it is more difficult to manage it or mask a totally unknown situation. Most of the accidents during shoeing occur, not surprisingly, with older specimens.

Regardless of when the shoeing takes place, the ideal is that he received the tame as a foal. This is the stage of his life in which he learns to control and submit his instincts to the obedience and orders of his knight.

It is important that the owner or person who will mount the animal actively participates in the taming process. The animal must learn to recognize and respect its owner. Thus, a relationship of trust will be built which forms the basis for a more complete training, which will also serve to perform other activities.

There are various methods of taming used by instructors who specialize in equine behavior. The fundamental objective is to encourage the animal’s learning ability, leading it to model its behavior and respond positively to the commands of its rider.

An experienced farrier knows how to position himself correctly in the relationship with the animal. The horse must understand that it is not he who is in control of the situation and that he can only act while respecting the will of the human being. Without this golden rule, there will always be risks when deciding to shoe a horse.

The most effective technique, to tame horses, is the one with which the farrier forces the animal to make movements that are not to his liking. For example, make it move backwards. It is obvious that skill and patience are needed.

When the animal is tamed (normally it is also physically noticeable, with a relaxation of the mouth), the farrier will be able to proceed with shoeing.

How do you know if a horse has been well shod?

In principle, prevention should be sufficient to ensure good horse shoeing. That’s why you should always choose a good farrier, check that he uses appropriate materials and tools suitable for the animal. In addition, as we have seen, prepare it adequately for shoeing.

Normally, the symptoms of  bad shoeing  do not take long to appear. This is because a badly positioned iron ruins the hoof and does not provide the necessary balance for the animal. It will be easy to notice that your pet is walking badly.

When the work is done correctly, the horse’s heels will be perfectly balanced at the same height. In addition, the iron must be adapted and centered according to the axis of each leg, in order to ensure correct weight distribution.

In very rare cases, when preventive measures are not taken, the animal can injure itself during shoeing, with a consequent deterioration of its state of health. It is essential to consult a trusted veterinarian immediately, since hooves and legs are very delicate parts.

Shooting a horse without risk is not only possible, thanks to a correct preparation of the animal and the correct choice of farrier and materials. Above all, it is the best guarantee to protect the animal’s health. The risk of injuries and pathologies linked to poor shoeing, which could affect knees, legs and lead to dangerous deformation of the hooves and joints, will be avoided.

Source of the main image: Lamuga.