A well-shod horse is a happy horse. How are horseshoes attached to hooves?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 20:55

In nature, horses walk where it suits them best. Therefore, their hooves do not wear out too quickly. It is a completely different matter when the animal is used for riding or for performing any work. In this case, the hooves can become thinner or change shape in a short period of time. Correct the situation by horseshoeing. This procedure does not cause any pain to the animal. His hooves remain intact for a long time. And of course, a shod horse feels much more comfortable during work.

A bit of history

Protect the hooves of horses with metal people began a very long time ago - back in the first century AD. However, at that time, not horseshoes were used, but special iron cases. Of course, in such "shoes" the animal did not feel very comfortable. Actually, the horseshoes themselves began to be used by the Celts. Later, in the sixth century, this tradition was adopted by the Germans, Slavs and Vandals. In those days, it was also believed that a shod horse (photos of such animals can be seen on this page) works better.

Stages of horseshoeing

This procedure itself is performed by people of a rather rare profession today - blacksmiths. In order for a shod horse to feel comfortable, the procedure, of course, must be carried out according to a certain technology. They make a horseshoe in several stages:

1. The animal is examined at rest and in motion. First, the horse is placed on a flat area to determine the setting of its legs.
2. They take off the old horseshoe.
3. Align the hooves.
4. Taking measurements.
5. The horseshoe is being customized.
6. Kill her.

What tools are used?

So, let's see how to properly shoe a horse. First of all, of course, you need to prepare all the necessary tools. Horseshoeing is performed using:

• cuts;
• hoof rasp;
• forging hammer;
• hoof ticks and knife;
• paws;
• thorn key.

How do you take off a horseshoe?

Before performing this procedure, the blacksmith clamps the animal's leg between the knees so that the lower leg is in front of him. Then he lifts the horse's limb up and cuts off or bends the lambs with a trimming. Actually, the procedure for removing the horseshoe looks like this:

1. Shoe pliers are placed between the horseshoe and the hoof at the heel.
2. Themthe handles are directed downward, pulling the horseshoe alternately on one and the other branch.
3. The horseshoe is knocked back with a hammer.
4. The nail heads that have come out are grabbed with tongs and pulled out of the hoof. This procedure is usually started from the heel.

Cutting soles

The horny part of a horse's hoof grows quickly (much like nails in humans). And sometimes not evenly. Therefore, before attaching the horseshoe, the sole should be leveled. Among other things, this procedure in some cases allows you to correct the incorrect setting of the legs of the animal. A shod horse with a similar defect can be used more intensively in work. The hooves are trimmed using a rasp in the direction from the heel parts. In this case, only the cracked dead horn is removed (leaving its thin layer). Trimming should be done as carefully as possible. If too thin a layer is removed from the hoof, the horn may subsequently break off. If the blacksmith, on the contrary, "overdoes it", the horse may be injured when used in work.

Measuring

Horse shoes are made locally or purchased ready-made. Their size varies (from 0 to 8). Different horseshoes are used for the front and hind hooves. The measurement is usually taken using a twig or ruler. To select the correct horseshoe, you should know the width of the sole in two places, as well as its length from one of the heel knots to the middle of the toe.

Fittinghorseshoes

This procedure should be done without fail. In this case, the main rule must be observed: the horseshoe is adjusted to the hoof, and not vice versa. The metal after shoeing should fit as tightly as possible to the hoof. Achieving this is the main goal of fitting. The nails on the horseshoe should be opposite the white line. Also, when fitting, it should be ensured that in the lateral and toe parts the metal protrudes beyond the hoof by 0.5-1 mm, on the heel - by 3 mm, from the heel angles by 4-8 mm in mounts and by 10-15 mm in harness.

Mount

Shoe nails can be used in different lengths. Hammer them into the hoof with light hammer blows. The horseshoe is first fixed with two nails. The farrier then lowers the horse's leg and checks that it is in the correct position. Displacements are eliminated with light hammer blows. After the horseshoe takes the desired position, it is fixed with the remaining nails.

A well shod horse works much better. But in any case, this operation must be repeated periodically. The time interval between changing horseshoes depends primarily on the conditions under which the animal works, as well as on the growth rate of the stratum corneum of the hooves. Horses are usually reforged once a month and a half.

So, we have figured out how to shoe a horse. For beginner blacksmiths, we hope this information will be useful. The main thing when shoeing is to align the sole of the hoof well and secure the shoe properly.