Why exactly do horses wear horseshoes?

Answer 1

A horse is shod for a number of reasons.
One, they are work horses which are on cement or hard surfaces. Shoeing the horse protects the hoof from excessive wear and gives more grip under most conditions.

To correct problems with the main bone in the foot is the pedal bone. Some horses over time and with age suffer "foot" problems.

For some, shoeing a horse is purely cosmetic.

Horses which are trail ridden and kept in softer fields really should not be shod unless they have specific problems. A no Slide Rubber shoe are worn on many types of police horses, working on city streets.

Cleated shoes are worn sometimes of heavy work horses.

For the novice, shoeing the horse means they don't have to take care of their horses feet. A simple run on gravel or hard surface is a good way to keep them filed or trimmed. However a horse's hooves are like fingernails and need to be trimmed when no hard surfacing is available.

In ancient times, shoeing of a horse was for royalty only and a status that your horse means more than the peasants.

Answer 2

Horses wear horse shoes for numerous reasons. First off, shoes protect the sensitive "frog" of the hoof, enabling rocks, ice, and other hard or pointy objects to damage the sensitive part of the hoof. If the soft part of the horses foot gets damaged, you could have a lame horse for life. Also, shoes help protect the outer "shell" from cracking or peeling. Shoes are good for horses in the warmer months, especially summer, spring, and even fall. But once winter comes, it's wiser to let your farrier take the shoes off. Steel and ice does not mix. It's better not to learn that that hard way. In the wintertime, horses should not have shoes unless you will be constantly riding off snow and ice. There's a high risk of slipping and falling, which could result in serious injury or even death. I hope this helps!
Amber

Answer 3

Horses wear horse shoes for a number of reasons.

1. To protect their feet, especially if you are riding them on rocky terrain.
2. To help heal feet, if they have a "split" in their hoof, similar to a broken fingernail.
3. For showing purposes -- I can't think of any show or race horse that isn't shod.

But primarily, it's for protecting their feet. If the horse is just out on pasture all the time, they generally don't need shoes on. They should be trimmed regularly to maintain good hoof health.

Answer 4

Horseshoes can be put on a horse for a number of reasons. Some people put them on their horses just to protect their horses hoove, some people put them on to help alter the horses gait to achive a gait thats pretter. Right now we have shoes on one of my horses to help in the repair of one of the cracked hooves It is possible for horses to not wear shoes at all,and we have several who do go barefoot because we know that their feet are strong enough to deal with everday wear.

Answer 5

Horseshoes protect the hoof from chipping and cracking. They also provide traction and can be used to help correct conformational deformities and ease the pain of leg and foot problems associated with certain diseases.

Answer 6

well horses wear horse shoes in the same fashion that we wear shoes!!!! The use of the horse shoe is to protect the sole (under foot) from getting worn out .

Answer 7

To keep their hooves from chipping, cracking and getting to worn down all of which can make their feet hurt. They can also help manage certain injurys.

Answer 8

To prevent breakage and cracks. Also to correct existing cracks and deformities. They also provide traction with the addition of cleats.

Answer 9

to protect their hooves from injury like absess and bruses. also protects from injury on tough ground. just depends what the horse is used for

Answer 10

horse shoes were made becuz of the hard surface man made. wild horses dnt have shoe becuz they run on grass and dirt.