Different breeds and activities require horses to maintain a distinct balance, speed, and performance level. Equally, the footwear choices for our equine companions must cater to their specific needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into the world of horse shoes, exploring how diverse styles and construction techniques can meet the unique demands of all kinds of horses – from athletic racers to leisurely strollers. Strap in and saddle up for a galloping journey through the nuances of tailored shoe solutions for horses from all walks of life.
Choosing the Right Shoes for Hunters and Hacks
Hunters and Hacks are distinct types of horses that, interestingly enough, require a similar pattern of shoe due to the nature of their work. These horses often tread on heavy ground at fast paces where the pulling force can be quite impactful. Therefore, selecting shoes with a fullered, concave ground surface for both fore and hind hooves serves to counteract this force. Besides, the inner branches of the shoes need to align perfectly with the line of the wall or be set slightly under to elude brushing.
The Ideal Fore Shoe
The fore shoe is typically equipped with a toe clip and is slightly rolled. This design precaution serves to prevent the horse from stumbling. However, it’s worth considering the benefits of a real set-up toe. To guard against heels being trodden on or the shoe being pulled off when galloping, the heels of the shoe should not go beyond the wall of the foot at the back. In fact, it’s common practice amongst farriers to make them slightly shorter than the wall. Additionally, the shoe’s heels should be bevelled down to align with the foot’s heel.
Contemplating Hind Shoes
Choosing the best hind shoe merits several considerations. For instance, while toe clips are commonly used, they might not always bring optimal results. If you decide on clips, a more prudent placement could be each side of the toe. This position along with a “squared off” or somewhat “set back” toe helps to prevent over-reaching or “forging”, which is a result of the hind toe striking the front shoe during fast paces in deep ground. Given these situations, a set-up toe can indeed have its advantages. In terms of the branch length, it usually isn’t shortened like in the fore shoe. For enhancing grip, farriers sometimes fit a small calkin on the outer heel, while the inner branch gets a wedge heel.
About Calkins and Weight Considerations
Calkins might not be necessary for hacks, considering they can avoid galloping on deep ground. As for the weight of the shoes, it typically ranges from 1.8 to 2.2 kg (4-5 lbs) per set. Pony shoes should be proportioned according to their size, starting just over 1 kg (2 1/2 lbs) for 12 hands in height.
Shoe Selection for Carriage-type Horses
Carriage horses face a unique set of requirements when it comes to their shoeing needs, as their primary work occurs on roads at slower paces. With this in mind, these horses can use a heavier shoe, while accommodating for necessary traction and slip prevention on roads.
Calkins for Hind Shoes
To prevent slipping, calkins are often fitted on the hind shoes of carriage-type horses. In previous times, rodways were a popular choice for providing traction when carriage horses were more widely used. Nowadays, however, the common practice involves using fullered shoes for the front hooves, while plain shoes are typically fitted on the hind hooves. At times, fullered hind shoes are also considered.
Shoe Weight Considerations
The weight of a set of shoes for carriage-type horses varies according to the size and weight of the horse. For lighter horses, a set of shoes can weigh between 1.8 to 2.7 kg (4-6 lbs). In contrast, heavier horses may require shoes that weigh up to 3.6 kg (8 lbs).
Shoeing Requirements for Draught Horses
Draught horses, widely recognized for their exceptional strength and ability to haul heavy loads at slower speeds, have specific shoeing needs that ensure they maintain a good foothold during their work. Such requirements influence the design and fit of their shoes.
Large Calkins and Fitting Considerations
Given their work nature, it’s advantageous to equip the hind shoes of draught horses with large calkins. Beyond enhancing foothold, large calkins accommodate heavy hauling, especially when the shoes are wide-fitting. The likelihood of brushing is minimal at the speeds these horses operate at, which supports the use of wider shoes.
Foothold Enhancements and Rat Shoes
To further improve the foothold, farriers may add toe pieces to the shoes. These are strips of metal that are welded slightly behind the toe, intended to support the grip. Draught horses often wear what are termed as rat shoes. When hand-made, these shoes are plain; however, when machine-made, they are fullered due to the thickness of the web.
Weighing the Shoe Sets
Given the profound strength and size of draught horses, the weight of a complete set of shoes can reach up to 9 kg (20 lbs).
Shoeing Needs of Racehorses
Racehorses demand specific shoeing essentials due to their high-speed and high-performance nature. To cater to their different activities, two types of shoe designs are commonly used: a lighter, fullered, concave shoe for training purposes, and a fullered, concave “plate” for racing.
Training Shoes
Training shoes are designed to be lightweight, fullered, with a concave shape, typically made from mild steel. This combination supports the horse’s training phase while ensuring comfort and durability. Weighing in around 680 gms (1 1/2 lbs) per set, these shoes provide the everyday support a racehorse needs while preparing for a race.
Racing Plates
When it comes to the actual racing day, racing plates become the preferred choice. These are fullered, concave “plates”, usually made from aluminium due to its light weight yet strength. Since the design focuses mainly on performance during the race, the weight of these plates is substantially lesser than training shoes, between 230 and 450 gms (1/2-1 lb) per set.
