There has always been a debate, and will forever be one, on whether or not Hot Shoeing is best for the horse or if Cold Shoeing is the way to go. This brief article will leave you with some food for thought on the subject.
Traditionally blacksmiths and farriers were one in the same, as factory shoes were non-existent back in the farm and wagon pulling days. Farriers would have to heat bar-stock to cut and shape their shoes for the horses they shod, they would then bring the shoe to the horse and burn the shoe on. This procedure same as today, would leave a perfectly level surface between the hoof and the shoe, and also allow the farrier to see what adjustments needed to be made for the shoe by the burn line left on the steel. Today we've learned that hot shoeing also helps prevent diseases like White Line Disease (a separation from the hoof wall and the sole/www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/white-line-disease-in-horses) by cauterizing the white line and hoof wall, preventing bacteria and fungus to enter. Another benefit to hot shoeing relates to the farrier, although we now have the options of pre-made/factory horse shoes, a heated steel shoe is much easier on your farriers joints while hammering, than banging on cold steel. Cold shoeing has become more popular as time goes on, its faster, depending on your farrier it may be cheaper, theraputic/aluminum shoes, and there's no need to worry about your horse disliking the sound or smell of a hot shoe being placed on his hoof. We primarily hot shoe the horses we have, however we do cold shoe for several clients, where that is their preference. Some horses never get used to the sounds and smells of hot shoeing, in their mind they're being burned alive! (When done properly a horse never feels the hot shoe, since it is placed upon non-sensitive structures; the issue rests in the smell with the smoke and the sizzling sound.) A hoof can still be perfectly flat with the shoe, without ever burning, by flattening it with a rasp. Even though hot shoeing is easier on the farriers body, cold shoeing allows for a farrier to carry less equipment with him and less cost, such as propane, a forge... Lastly for therapeutic reasons or for special event horses such as racehorses, aluminum shoes are used. They allow for more modifications to the shoe such as a wedge shoe, navicular shoe, etc... without the added steel, and are MUCH lighter. Aluminum becomes brittle if heated To Much, so with these specialized shoes you do not hot shoe/fit the horse. By some, cold shoeing is thought of as superior, because 'when you hot shoe a horse it takes all the moisture from the hoof, and especially in dry climates this may not be good for the horse'. Where hot shoeing does take Some moisture away, it is very minimal, and horses same as humans regain moisture in their body, not only from a moist environment, but also from drinking water and standing in water. There can always be found positives and negatives in any situation, including hot shoeing and cold shoeing. Hopefully this article has given you as a horse owner, some food for thought, and understanding in the basics of hot and cold shoeing, so you may better understand what is best for you and your equine partner. If you have found this topic interesting or wish to learn more, below are some added articles of the same topic, that continue to debate and reason the benefits of both methods. Related and Referenced Articles: White Line Disease: www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/white-line-disease-in-horses Debate on hot and cold shoeing: 1. www.elizabeththefarrier.com/hot-shoeing-vs-cold-shoeing/ 2. www.americanblacksmith.com/blacksmithstable/hot_shoeing_vs_cold_shoeing.htm 3. equusmagazine.com/management/hot_shoeing_012608-10617 4. www.equiworld.net/horses/horsecare/hoofcare/hotorcold.htm
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11/13/2017 0 Comments Alternative to the TraditionalAs farriers our job is to find the best option for both your horses comfort and your preference! Many people are now veering from the traditional method of steel shoes for your riding companion and prefer a natural balanced trim to keep your horses hooves maintained. However in Arizona we run in to many rocks and rough riding, so barefoot isn't necessarily the most comfortable for your barefoot horse... That's where hoof boots come in to play! A nice balanced trim paired with a boot you can slip on your riding buddy before your next adventure :)
Our suggestion is Renegade boots, a great client of ours uses Renegade boots for her mustang mare, Minnie Whinnie, whom she likes to keep in a nice trim, and throw on these awesome boots for a trail ride! (Both front and hinds at times) Made by former farriers these boots seem to move in all the right places and stay snug on the hoof when needed. They are most definitely the most functional hoof boot we've seen so far, for those trail riders who have been in search of a great alternative to shoes! https://www.facebook.com/LanderIndustries/ OR http://www.renegadehoofboots.com 9/18/2017 0 Comments Let's Talk about Laminitis...Sadly Laminitis is a disease that is much more common than we would like... an inflammation of the laminae (the strong bond between the horse's coffin bone and the hoof wall) inside the hoof capsule, weakening the bond of the coffin bone (a.k.a pedal bone) to the hoof wall itself; creating a very painful experience for the horse affected. Laminitis can also lead to "Founder" which is a chronic, reoccurring, condition of laminitis and rotation of the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule.
With many possible causes and varied treatments for this disease, attached is a simplified, yet in depth article by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the article also gives ways to identify the early signs of an oncoming episode: |