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[RC] What Shoes Do - Karen Standefer

Shoes do several things.  The main thing they do is to protect the hoof wall
and sole in the front of the hoof from excessive wear.  Excessive wear in
that area could cause the coffin bone to become damaged from too much
concussion from thin soles.  Another main function is to sort of "cast" a
weak hoof so that it doesn't give so much.  A weak hoof is usually not
comfortable on hard, concussive or uneven (rocky) ground.  A shoe makes it
more rigid and much more comfortable for the horse.  And, then, of course
the shoe also adds traction when needed, or slide when needed and also a
means to add support for the coffin joint through pads, packing, frog
support pads, etc. for hooves that are in need of such. 

Karen

Referenced Post:

I am amazed that people think cutting away the sole of the hoof and putting
on a 1/4 inche think piece of metal is 'real protection'.  That does help
with chipping around the edge of the hoof wall tho but then there are the
nail holes to deal with as well as more build up of 'gunk' in the crevices
leading to more daily hoof care than on a barefoot pasture horse.

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