Can you give me some advice on what to do if my horse loses a horse shoe on a trail ride? I'm concerned that he might damage a horse hoof. I've heard a lot about horse hoof boots; what can you tell me about them? Also, how can I help prevent my horse from losing a shoe on the trail in the first place?
Francis Jerky
Custer, South Dakota
Francis, these are important questions. I'll answer your last one first. Here are several ways to help prevent a lost shoe on a trail ride.
• Maintain his hooves. Don't take your horse on an extended trail ride if he's due for a trim and new shoes. If his toes are over-long, he'll be more likely to lose a shoe than if he's just been trimmed and shod. Have your farrier trim and shoe your horse's feet as soon as you see a need. And don't wait until the day before a big ride to shoe your horse. Give him at least a few days to toughen up after his trim and break in his new shoes to help prevent soreness.
• Schedule regular farrier visits. Take the guesswork out of your horse's hoof care by scheduling regular farrier visits. A good rule of thumb is a visit every six weeks, but your horse might need to be seen more frequently. If his hooves are weak or brittle and don't hold a nail well, your farrier can recommend ways to strengthen them.
• Replace loose nails. If you have a big ride scheduled and your horse's hooves aren't ready for a trim, your farrier can still replace any loose nails and re-clinch all the nails before you go.
If your horse loses a shoe on a trail ride in spite of your precautions, remove any nails (pack pliers in your saddlebag), and apply a hoof boot. If he loses a shoe 10 miles from the trailer on a rough, rocky terrain without hoof-boot protection, he'll likely damage his newly bare hoof.
Such damage might include severe hoof bruising, which will lay him up for weeks. He might also suffer hoof-wall breaks and splits that can lead to greater hoof damage, making later shoeing difficult, if not impossible. There's also an increased chance he'll trip and stumble, which poses a danger to you both.
Carrying a hoof boot is like carrying a spare tire in your car. Carry one on every ride. Find the one that works best with your horse. Read up on each boot type. Talk to others who use boots. Try out several models. Learn to apply a boot before you go on a ride.
For 20 years, I've tried to help riders decide which hoof boot is right for their horses. One manufacturer, EasyCare Inc., provides shopper information on its website. (From the home page, click on "Education," then "Which Boot is Right for You?") Other hoof-boot companies also provide valuable boot-selection information; see the resource guide on page 44 for contact information.
My wife, Linda, is a farrier, but we almost never shoe our horses. We keep their hooves trimmed and use EasyCare hoof boots - Boa Boots on Red, and a combination of Epics and Old Mac's on Weaver.
