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Hermit
Diavhrati Luminary

Date Joined May 2007
Total Posts : 1785

Posted 10/7/2008 4:15 PM (GMT -5)

I was reading a couple of short stories earlier (copy editing, actually). For some reason, it suddenly occured to me that perhaps you can't just nail shoes onto a horse. I was vaguely aware that there was some filing necessary to fit a shoe to a horse. Their hooves grow like our nails do, right?

So . . . how often do you have to change a horse's shoes? How often does one need to file down the hoof? What is the procedure? What other upkeep would a Western wanderer have to undertake to keep the horse in prime traveling condition?

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crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5194

Posted 10/7/2008 4:50 PM (GMT -5)

it's hard to get a horse to stand on a pattern, so normally, after the shoe is created and nailed to the horse's hoof, it's filed down around the edges so it doesn't stick out. you don't want it sticking out, you want it flush with the metal of the shoe.

You change the horse's shoes when the hoof is damaged, the shoe is damaged or other factors but you should check for loose nails and various problems frequently. A loose nail is trouble brewing.

darkbow
Rabbit lord

Date Joined Oct 2005
Total Posts : 1763

Posted 10/7/2008 5:31 PM (GMT -5)

CW hit it on the mark. I'll add that it's easier to damage a hoof and/or horse shoe than it might seem. Something as seemingly innocent as a pebble can cause lots of bruising and can even dent or nick up a shoe pretty bad.

To go a little further, horses' legs in general are pretty weak, at least compared to the rest of the animal. Look at the size of a full-grown horse, then look at those skinny legs and you'll see why. It's one of the reasons you hear about a horse having to be put down once it breaks a leg, because the animal generally is going to be in a lot of pain and (from a purely monetary point of view) isn't going to be very productive from then on. It's not impossible to save a horse with broken legs, but it's quite expensive and time-consuming and the poor beast is never likely to run or work again and it will almost always have leg problems (though there have been a few miracle stories).

But I'm mostly familiar with racing horses, thoroughbreds and walking horses and sometimes stallions. Other breeds might be more hardy, maybe Clydesdales and the like.

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anna
Neophyte

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 169

Posted 10/7/2008 6:38 PM (GMT -5)

I've worked with both race horses and pleasure horses as well as owning pleasure horses of my own.

Shoes for horses are similar to shoes for people - different shoes for different purposes.

Race horses often wear light shoes, sometimes even made of aluminum, and these need rather frequent changing. Some owners now prefer rubber as they last longer and offer some shock absorption.

Pleasure horses ridden primarily on grass or dirt trail don't even need them at all. Riding on paved roads is too hard on the hoof and requires shoes.

Hooves continue to grow after the shoe is nailed on, making a 3 month average a safe bet for changing shoes.

There is also a handy little tool called a hoof pick that no responsible owner would ride without. The underside of the hoof is an exceptionally tender area called the quick. A pebble in there would feel like a splinter stuck deep beneath your fingernail. Also, you use the hoof pick a bare minimum of once per week just to clean out whatever is in there.

If your character is on a long ride and really partial to his horse he might clean the animal's hooves every day when they make camp.

Hope that helps!

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5194

Posted 10/7/2008 6:42 PM (GMT -5)

anna said...

There is also a handy little tool called a hoof pick that no responsible owner would ride without. The underside of the hoof is an exceptionally tender area called the quick. A pebble in there would feel like a splinter stuck deep beneath your fingernail. Also, you use the hoof pick a bare minimum of once per week just to clean out whatever is in there.

and oh boy is that a fun job. Word of warning, the horse doesn't like it it you aren't careful with that thing, at least mine didn't. It's a lot like cleaning your fingernails out with the tip of a nail file.

SJHigbee
Acolyte

Date Joined Mar 2008
Total Posts : 217

Posted 10/7/2008 6:57 PM (GMT -5)

Yeah - the other thing to remember is that even if your horse isn't shod, they will regularly need their hooves trimmed. And that's another job they love to hate! An interesting detail to note - my mother has had 2 horses with white 'socks' on one leg - and each animal was particularly sensitive on that particular foot.

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