Browse our expert guides on equine care, management, and services.
Horses need shoes when work, terrain or a hoof problem wears their feet faster than they can grow, or when they need extra protection, traction or support. But not every horse needs shoes — many do perfectly well barefoot. Whether to shoe is a decision made horse by horse, based on the work it does, […]
"Every six weeks" is the answer you'll hear most — and it's a fine starting point. But the honest truth is your horse's real schedule depends on its feet, its work, the season, and what it's standing on. Here's how to find the rhythm that actually fits your horse.
Few topics start a barn argument faster than barefoot versus shod. The honest answer most professionals will give you, away from the internet, is: it depends on the horse, the work, and the ground. Let's look at what each actually does — without the dogma.
Sooner or later every owner meets one of the big three hoof problems: thrush, a crack, or an abscess. None are rare, all are manageable, and knowing which you're looking at tells you whether it's a 'treat at home' or a 'call someone today.'
