Why do horses need shoes (horseshoes)?

Answer 1

There was a line I learned many decades ago in London:
It's not the 'unting in the 'ills wot 'urts the 'orses 'oofs but the 'ammer 'ammer 'ammer on the 'ard 'igh road.

Answer 2

We used to use our horses for speed events at horse shows and rodeos, and some for trail riding, team penning and roping; during that season, we would keep those horses shod and re-set them every few weeks to keep their hooves in optimum condition. During the off-season, we let them go barefoot as long as they didn't have or develop any hoof problems.

There are all sorts of conditions or situations where horses need corrective shoes, too. You might do a search on www.dogpile.com using the keywords "horse hoof conditions", "anatomy of horse hoof", "why do horses need shoes", "corrective horseshoeing", and so on.

Interesting subject!
:D

Answer 3

To protect their hooves.

Interesting fact 1: A racehorse wears out its shoes every race. So every racehorse needs a new couple of pair of shoes before every race.

Fact 2: Even bullocks use shoes of a different shape and size.

Fact 3: Bullocks lie down when the shoes are attached to their hooves, whereas horses are shoed while standing up.

Answer 4

Horses in the wild run and walk around on the grass, soil, etc. Their hooves are not made for cement and asphalt like domesticated horses sometimes have to walk on. They need horseshoes so that their hooves do not wear out.

Why do humans need human shoes? It's pretty much the same thing. :)

Answer 5

Basically, for protection.

By using horseshoes, they can go further and / or over rougher ground than without them...at least, that was the logic when they were first "invented" in the later Middle Ages...

Answer 6

Depends on the surface. Shoes keep the hooves from splitting.

Answer 7

To protect their hoof which is made of the same material as humans fingernails therefore it is pron to breaking.

Answer 8

same reason you wear shoes
to protect your feet...duh