New VocationsRacehorse Adoption Program

By Dot Morgan

Simple shoeing techniques will often eliminate stumbling and ease the discomfort of arthritis and old injuries. Squaring the toes, raising the angle, and removing grab can all help a horse cover the ground easier.

Squaring the toes allows the foot to break over quicker and leave the ground with less friction. The blacksmith merely hammers the toe of the shoe flat across the front leaving a boxed appearance instead of rounded. After the shoe is secured the blacksmith will file the hoof wall flush with the squared shoe. This isn’t harmful nor does it compromise the integrity of the foot. It’s like cutting your fingernails back so your hands are more efficient. Squaring a horse’s toes eases the pain of arthritic knees and ankles, sore feet and stifles.

Raising the angle of the foot 2 – 3 degrees enhances the effect of the squared toe. Many horses have a naturally low angle. They grow more toe than heel. On these horses squaring the toes and raising the heel takes pressure off bowed tendons, pulled suspensories, and sore stifles, as well as giving relief to the navicular area. Some navicular horses return to functional soundness simply by raising the angle excessively, even to the point of double heel calks on the front shoes. This appears unnatural, like a woman in high heels, but when it works, the relief is so obvious; appearances are cast aside.

Most horses leaving the track are wearing aluminum shoes with toe grabs. This allows for greater traction and more impulsion that translates into a faster horse. These same shoes that make a horse more competitive place added stress on its legs. Once a horse moves into the pleasure realm a simple steel plate with no grab is both superior and soothing.

Can the horse just go barefoot? If it’s a broodmare or light riding horse that seldom leaves the farm, barefoot is best. However, few thoroughbreds can make the transition to going barefoot without becoming sore in a matter of days. They will work through this over time. Thoroughbreds have notoriously thin walls and sensitive soles. If one is to be ridden regularly, it will usually need shoes at least in front to be comfortable. Standardbreds have stronger feet and often do quite well barefoot unless ridden extensively on hard or rocky ground.