When do you put shoes on a horse?

Answer 1

With any horse expected to be handled throughout it's life, it needs to be started on a farrier schedule shortly after being weened and halter broke. Horses don't require shoes until it is being ridden regularly on rough surfaces for extended periods of time. Normally this should be 3 to 6 months after the breaking procedure has begun.

Answer 2

A horse may need shoes due to work stress, for increased traction, gait manipulation, or correction of hoof problems. Your horse should be evaluated by an experienced farrier to determine when shoes are needed, type, and whether re-shoeing is needed. To prior poster- you DO put shoes on a horse, and there are also horse boots that may be used temporarily for unshod horses.

Answer:It is healthier for the horse to be barefoot except for special situations, like founder. Horseshoes restrict blood flow up to the knees as thermal scans show, send harmful vibrations up the leg and many other things.

People may put horse shoes on horses who are kept in stalls because the ammonia from the waste in stalls weaken hooves. They may also have shows to make the horse gait, and some people do it because they just think horses HAVE to have shoes, when really, through gradual introduction to hard footing, a horse would be OK without them.

Answer 3

You can, but it's not a good idea unless it's absolutely necessary because while shoes are damaging to a grown horses feet and legs, they are even more so for horses under 5 years of age because they prevent proper development of the foot structures.