Page 201 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

correct hoof conformation and balance. Without regular trimming, the hoof wall may become

split and misshapen.
VetBooks.ir SHOEING

Shoeing is necessary to prevent excessive wear of the feet when horses work on hard

surfaces.

The principles of trimming and shoeing

Correct trimming and shoeing is essential for long-term soundness of the working horse.

Most horses are reshod every 4–6 weeks but this depends on the hoof conformation, horn
quality and the use of the horse. If they are left for too long the following problems may

arise.
• The foot will become unbalanced because the hoof wall grows faster at the toe than the

heels. The wall at the heels may be worn by the shoe as the heels expand and contract;
hence more horn is usually removed from the toe when shod horses are trimmed.

Conformational defects may lead to exacerbation of any hoof imbalance.
• The hoof wall may grow over the outside edge of the shoe at the heels; the shoe then

presses on the sole at the seat of corn causing bruising and lameness.
• The clenches begin to rise and can cause brushing injuries.

• If a loose shoe is wrenched off, the nails may tear away large chunks of hoof wall,

making subsequent shoeing difficult (Figure 6.6) or cause soft tissue injury and lameness.
• The horse may suffer serious injury by treading on the nails of a twisted or cast shoe.