Horses in the wild are used to going wherever they want. A domestically shod horse does not always have this opportunity. It is used for riding, transporting goods and performing other work. When walking on asphalt or concrete, the hooves quickly wear out, become thin, or change their shape. To avoid this situation, horse shoeing is used. A correctly performed operation does not cause any harm to the animal, and the hooves remain intact for a long time.
A correctly performed operation does not cause any harm to the animal, and the hooves remain intact for a long time.
About 20 centuries ago, people began to put special protective iron covers on the legs of horses. Such “shoes” were not comfortable, so the horse shoe was soon invented. First it appeared among the Celts, then the Germans and Slavs began to use the invention. This happened in the 6th century. People have noticed that a shoed horse works much better. In our time, there is still a rather rare profession left - hand-forged blacksmith. The shoeing of horses is entrusted to them. The whole procedure is performed in several stages:
- the horse is carefully examined at rest and in motion;
- remove old horseshoes from their hooves;
- hooves are leveled with special tools;
- they are measured;
- a horse shoe of the required size is selected;
- the product is nailed to the hoof using special nails.
People have noticed that a shoed horse works much better. In our time, there is still a rather rare profession left - hand-forged blacksmith Such “shoes” perform the same functions as shoes for humans. The animal stands much more firmly on any surface, especially during icy conditions; its horseshoes do not wear out and do not hurt - that’s why horses are shoed.
Features of horse shoeing (video)
Blacksmith's work
A blacksmith must have a special set of tools. It includes:
- one or more cuts;
- rasp for cleaning hooves;
- forging hammer;
- hoof mites;
- special knife for hoofs;
- paws;
- spike key.
The horse is brought into a special pen to limit its movement. The animal's leg is clamped between the blacksmith's knees or in a special machine device. By trimming, the farrier removes the old fastenings of the horseshoe, then removes it from the hoof with pliers. Next, the rasp comes into play. With its help, the master trims the sole of the hoof and levels it out. This is done because the hoof is capable of growing like a human nail.
Before attaching any horseshoes, the sole must be leveled and cleaned of sawdust and dirt. This can be done with a knife.
Next, a measurement is taken from the hoof. Modern horseshoes for horses can be made directly in the forge by the same blacksmith, or they can be purchased ready-made. They have their own sizes, which are designated by numbers 0-8. When forging a horseshoe, there are two main hoof sizes that can be accommodated. The size of the horseshoe for the hind and front legs is usually different. The measurement is taken with a ruler or just a twig. The selected horseshoe must be adjusted to the hoof. The metal should fit snugly over the entire area of the hoof. Fastening is done with horseshoe nails different sizes. They are hammered into specially made holes in the horseshoe with light blows of a forging hammer. First, 2 nails are hammered in and the horse’s leg is placed on a level place. If the position of the horseshoe is normal, the remaining nails are nailed.
The main thing is to properly level the sole and secure the horseshoe A well-trained animal performs better. But shoeing horses must be repeated periodically. After all, metal also wears out quite quickly. The stratum corneum of the hoof also grows. Typically this operation is performed once a month. It is allowed to change horseshoes after 1.5 months. It depends on the intensity of use of the animal. An experienced farrier will never cause any pain to an animal. The main thing is to properly level the sole and secure the horseshoe.
The domestication of animals led to the loss of some of their characteristic features. They do not need to look for food, since the owner provides his animals with everything they need. They even learned to put horses in special types of horseshoes to protect their hooves. They were made of reed, leather and iron. Nowadays, various oval-shaped metal products are used. They fit well to the sole and protect the hooves from premature wear. In the wild, this process is completely unnecessary. The primacy in the invention of horseshoes is attributed by many to Asia. The initial shoeing with iron “shoes” injured the animals.
Other metal products took their place. Now shoeing does not cause any harm or pain to the animal if it is done by an experienced blacksmith. Horseshoes are very different. They are forged for military horses, for animals serving in the police, for circuses, for those who work in private farms with vegetable plots and garden plots. Horseshoes can be made of aluminum and plastic, iron and rubber. They are orthopedic, winter and sports. Their weight varies from 120 to 720 g.
Winter ones are used in snowy regions of the country. They are equipped with anti-slip spikes. Orthotics correct the horse's movements.
A standard product has a certain height and width. The width is usually 22 mm, height - 8 mm. The horseshoes are different for the hind and front legs. Horses are rather shy animals. Working with them requires great composure. You need to pat and stroke the horse to completely calm it down. In extreme cases, soft drugs are used. This method is needed to tame very stubborn animals. Shoeing horses is much easier. Most often, kind words have an effect on horses. The process of shoeing young horses can last up to 3 days. Experienced horses are shoed in one step. It should be borne in mind that shoeing yourself can lead to serious problems with the health of the animal, so you should not risk it.
Shoeing horses is a necessary procedure. Everyone knows what a horseshoe looks like, but here’s how it’s attached to horse hoof- not many saw it. We offer an interesting photo report; some of the pictures will definitely amaze you if you have never shoed a horse yourself!
Horse shoeing - how is it done?
The animal must remain calm and friendly during this procedure, otherwise it will not be possible to shoe it. There are fewer problems with trained animals. Apparently this is the kind of horse that posed in the photo, and was happy to demonstrate all the subtleties of the horse shoeing process!
Horse shoeing includes several stages:
- Removing an old horseshoe
- Hoof Trimming and Trimming
- Taking measurements
- Fitting the horseshoe to the required parameters
- Attaching a horseshoe to the hoof.
1. How to remove an old horseshoe? Step-by-step removal process
Old horseshoes are removed using special tools: trimming, forging hammer and hoof pliers.
Step by step process removing an old horseshoe:
- Light blows of milk on the heads of the nails weaken their connection with the horseshoe.
- Then the lambs are bent or chopped off.
- Place the jaws of the forging pliers under the horseshoe and squeeze them until they are completely connected.
- Tilt the pliers down in the direction of the horseshoe branch.
- The raised horseshoe is put back in its original place.
- The protruding nail heads are grabbed with pliers and removed one by one, starting with the first heel nail.
If a nail breaks, it must be removed using trimming or forging pliers.
2. Hoof trimming
The essence of the process is simple. It is necessary to remove the overgrown hoof horn, give the hoof the correct shape, and prepare the surface for a snug fit of the new horseshoe. All this is done using special tools.
More about clearing and inventory necessary tools— HERE⇒
3. Taking measurements from the hoof
Three measurements will be needed:
- Length from the middle of the toe to one of the heel corners
- Width at the widest part of the lateral walls of the hoof
- Width at heels
According to these dimensions, a ready-made standard horseshoe is selected, or it is made by hand.
4. Hoof fit
When fitting, the most important rule is only one:
Fit the horseshoe to the hoof, not the hoof to the horseshoe
A properly fitted horseshoe fulfills the following requirements:
- It fits tightly to the plantar edge of the horny wall.
- Protrudes outward at the toe and side parts by 0.5-1 mm.
- Protrudes in the area of the heel corners by 5-8 mm.
The horseshoe should be longer than the hoof and protrude back from the heel corners of draft horses by 10-15 mm. For riding horses - by 4-8 mm. This will create a larger area of support for the heel parts, and as the hoof grows, the horseshoe will move forward, there will be a reserve.
5. Attaching a horseshoe - shoeing horses
The horseshoe is attached to the hoof using special nails. Nails are selected according to the size of the horseshoe.
Nails for shoeing horses
Nails for shoeing horses are made in factories from steel strip. There are 6 numbers (according to GOST 1217-50):
Step-by-step attachment of a horseshoe:
- Hammering nails
- Biting them off (see photo below)
- Horseshoe attraction
- Sealing the lambs
What types of horseshoes are there?
Horseshoes for horses are made in accordance with GOST (namely, GOST 5408-50) and a total of 13 sizes of horse shoes are produced:
In addition to standard, Gostov horseshoes, special, usually hand-made, horseshoes are also used. Racing horses are given light, round horseshoes with small spikes. There are also special horseshoes for horses working in mountainous areas.
Horseshoe spikes
How are spikes placed on horseshoes and what types are they?
The spikes are placed in the toe part (toe spike), and one at the ends of each branch (heel spikes). Spikes can be permanent or removable.
There is also a GOST for spikes (GOST 4509-50). They should be H-shaped, and of two sizes: 22 cm and 28 cm, long and short, respectively. 
Horse shoeing - photo
Shoing - attaching the sole to a horse's hoof to prevent excessive abrasion and breaking of the hoof horn, bruises and damage to the soft tissues of the hoof. In ancient times, horseshoes-sandals made of straw, bast, braided rope and leather were used to protect the feet of horses; later metals began to be used.
Today, shoeing is widely used for almost all types of horses, changing depending on the direction of use of the animals. But more and more often, the question arises among owners about the advisability of using shoeing for a modern horse.
The distal part of a horse’s limb can be compared with a human foot, only most of the horse’s toes are rudimentary (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th toes), only one remains - the third toe, in humans, respectively, the middle one. Instead of nail plates, a hoof was formed at the end of the horse's finger - a horny capsule covering the last phalanx of the finger - the hoof bone. The hoof is a specially designed protective organ with excellent elastic and shock-absorbing properties that help protect the horse’s limbs from mechanical injuries and unnecessary shocks.
The structure of the hoof has the following important features:
The hoof wall is connected to the coffin bone by intertwining the non-sensitive horny leaves of the wall and the sensitive leaves of the coffin bone. The coffin bone seems to be suspended on leaves inside the hoof.
The horny capsule consists of many multilayer tubes with a lamellar structure, which allows it to elastically perceive vertical and horizontal pressure, which determines the horny capsule’s own elasticity.
The hoof exhibits alternating soft and hard hoof horns.
There is a thinning of the hoof wall from the toe to the heel, which facilitates the divergence of the hoof at the heel during loading.
W-shaped arrow. When the hoof is loaded, the heel angles of the frog diverge, the frog flattens and presses against the surface of the ground. The W-shape of the frog gives it a springy elasticity, which is further enhanced by the shock-absorbing effect of the frog pad.
The vertically located, slightly inwardly curved hoof cartilage acts as a spring plate.
Elasticity due to the finger pad.
The mechanism of action of the hoof promotes its blood supply. When the frog comes into contact with the ground, it is massaged, improving blood flow and venous outflow from the hoof, which ensures the flushing out of toxins and the flow of oxygen through arterial blood. In addition, the arrow does not allow the heels to deform and move closer together. As a result, the hoof wall neutralizes the upward force, and the frog, pad, and lamellar bone neutralize the downward force (from the body), and if all structures are working correctly, the net result is zero.
Above we examined the mechanics of the work of an unshod hoof. Under the influence of horseshoes we see the following picture:
The weight of the horse's body falls exclusively on the plantar edge of the horny wall and the sole;
The bars, frog and crumbs are often inactive, and the elasticity of the hoof is not sufficiently used to soften shocks;
The degree of expansion of the hoof in the heel part decreases;
As a result, metal horseshoes increase the vibration of the bones in the hoof. The natural shock wave absorption function is disrupted.
The main negative consequences of forging are:
The hoof walls do not wear out and do not maintain their natural shape, which leads to unnatural pressure on the hoof, reducing and shifting the area of support, restoring balance naturally impossible;
A high level of vibration created during the animal’s statolocomotion, which leads to pain in the joints, ligaments and tendons, degenerative changes in the skeletal system of the limbs, and joint diseases;
Disruption of the hoof mechanism, as a result, decreased blood circulation in the hoof:
Physical hoof injuries;
Horseshoe weight. Unnatural stress on joints and ligaments through centrifugal forces, which leads to arthritis;
Hoof deformation and narrowing;
Damaging effects of nails;
The most major damage from incorrect shoeing is applied to young horses, with the process of development of the bone and ligamentous system of the limbs not yet completed.
There are certain situations where shoeing is vital to a horse's health, such as certain hoof conditions, injuries, or an imbalance between hoof horn growth and wear.
Forging should only be done according to veterinary indications (orthopedic forging). For injuries, to alleviate the condition (laminitis, navicular disease, etc.), when it is necessary to correct the posture of the foal, relieve pain in the musculoskeletal system, correct dorsal-palmar/plantar and media-lateral balances, heal cracks, fractures, deep flexor injuries etc.
Special mention should be made of the specialized shoeing of sports horses, especially trotting and dressage horses. The shape of the hooves and shoeing affect the uniformity of the legs at the trot, the stability of the gait and the balance. Dressage horses often have a specially designed low heel, just like trotters. This forces the horse to work from the shoulder, the movements become more sweeping, and the speed of movement increases. Hoof preparation trotting horses and shoeing is carried out according to certain laws that apply to racing: the horseshoe “fits” if the horse wins the race, even if the horseshoe “sits askew” on the hoof. Most often, in the “chase for seconds” when shoeing a trotter, little thought is given to the harm caused to the horse’s limbs.
The harm caused by forging is recognized by all specialists, because 90% of leg damage in horses occurs due to illiterate and untimely shoeing. But despite everything negative consequences shoeing, there are a number of cases in which it is an urgent need, on which the health and possibility of further use of the horse depends.
Seeing horses is an increase in wealth, the joy of life in all its manifestations;
riding or seeing a white horse is a wonderful sign;
The strength of friendships, the joy of meeting fellow souls, the loyalty of women;
Your horse is dirty and skinny - deception and envy on the part of those you trust;
Ride a black horse - you will succeed in business for a long time and unexpectedly discover the vanity and futility of your activities;
For a woman, riding a black horse means her husband’s infidelity;
Watching brown horses running means favorable circumstances that will unexpectedly change for the worse or fleeting and superficial hobbies;
Seeing horses in apples (spotted) means future benefits in business;
Riding a beautiful bay horse means exaltation, satisfaction of desires;
For a woman, riding a beautiful bay horse means determination to refuse an annoying admirer, material gain in the near future;
Your horse runs away, joining a wild herd - news of someone’s illness;
You are sitting on a horse and it hurts you - troubles from a friend or employer;
A herd of mares - closeness and lack of jealousy towards their lovers;
Seeing beautiful horses means success and prosperity;
Riding across a clear stream or river on horseback means good luck and pleasure, but if the water is dark or choppy, the joy will be overshadowed by something;
Crossing clear water on a horse means many dreams come true and benefits in business;
A wounded horse means trouble for friends;
Dead horse - disappointments, sad news;
Riding a bucking horse means various difficulties on the path to success;
The horse throws you off - opponents or illness;
Kicks you - to be rejected by your beloved;
Grabbing a horse by the bridle and subordinating it to your will means drastic favorable changes in life;
If you failed to subjugate the horse to your will, fate will turn its back on you;
Admire a well-shod horse - your success in the near future will amaze even your own imagination; For a woman, such a dream promises a reliable friend for life;
Participating in horse racing means a prosperous life;
Shoeing your horse means acquiring property through dubious means;
Deftly ride a bareback horse - you will be able to acquire prosperity and comfort in a difficult struggle, reliable help from friends is also possible;
Riding a horse in a female environment means uncertainty about future desires,
Addiction; your object of passion is a woman of free behavior;
Watching a horse being groomed, or cleaning it yourself with a groomer is a great test, hard work on the path to honors and a firm position in life;
For business people, peasants, writers - decorating the mane and tail of a horse is a very favorable dream;
Harnessed to a cart or carriage - well-being limited by obligations, love and happiness with obstacles;
Climbing a narrow path up a high mountain on horseback means achieving a very strong position in life;
With such a rise, the horse cannot stand it and you climb the rest of the way on foot - a strong position will be won at the cost of great effort;
For a girl, seeing herself as a rider on a black horse is an unexpected incident that will help fulfill her desires, communicating with wise, respectful interlocutors;
Riding down a hill means failure;
For a woman, seeing her lover riding a horse behind her means success with interesting, successful admirers;
Being a scared rider means anxiety and jealousy of a loved one;
For a girl to jump off a horse and it instantly turns into a pig is a reckless rejection of lucrative offers of marriage, after which the freedom she prefers will soon seem hateful to her;
The girl dreams that she is riding on a white horse through a hilly area and, looking around, constantly sees a rider on a black horse behind her - alternating successes and failures and constant anxiety in her soul about the fate of a matter that is important to her;
A horse that has fallen from heaven and turned into a stranger who throws something at you - a serious failure, unfulfilled hopes and for some time - the failure of your attempts to master the situation;
Horses grazing in a meadow are a well-established business and coordinated actions of your partners;
Barren pasture, dry land - poor but loyal friends. For a young lady, this is a harbinger of a happy marriage;
Horse trader - material gain, but risky ventures;
Buying a horse and realizing in a dream that the merchant is deceiving you means losses;
Not very good to sell good horse, leaving yourself a thoroughbred - to great luck;
Killing a horse means injuring one of your friends with your selfishness;
climbing a horse is a successful completion of a difficult struggle;
Ride bareback in the company of men - honest people will come to your aid;
Also see Stable, Grape, Ride, Stallion, Jockey, River, Stream, Horseshoe, Woman, Embankment, Wound, Ride.
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