About shoeing
Do shoes restrict the hoof capsule movement?
In a word, NO! In fact ask a farrier to show you a shoe that has been removed from a horse and the chances are that it will show evidence that the hoof has worn a groove in the steel surface that the hoof rests on. A well fitted shoe with the nails placed correctly forward of the widest part of the hoof cannot restrict movement in the heel region. That is why vets prescribe remedial shoes to be fitted to a horse that fractures its coffin bone. Vets know that an ordinary shoe will not give the hoof enough support nor will it limit the amount of heel expansion the hoof undergoes on each stride therefore making it nearly impossible for a successful outcome. To take it even further most farriers would opt for casting material in conjunction with a handmade or extremely modified keg shoe to eliminate heel expansion which is essential in the successful repair of a fractured pedal bone.
Does the horse lose feeling in the hoof due to restricted blood flow when the shoe is nailed on?
This is by far one of the more ridiculous claims made by some of the so called 'hoof care experts' and it only serves to show how little they know about the internal structures of the equine hoof.
It would take a very special horse indeed to be able to lose all feeling in its foot yet retain enough sensitivity to be able to feel an abscess forming in that same hoof.
One of the vet's more useful tools in diagnosing lameness is the diagnostic nerve block. The suspected lame hoof is anaesthetised if the cause of pain is thought to be in the hoof. If the source of pain does in fact originate in the hoof then subsequent to the block the horse will trot up sound.
If the above question held any truth at all then farriers would nail shoes on lame horses and put vets out of business. Clearly this is silly in the extreme.
Are there any problems associated with shoeing the hoof?
Where do I begin? Good farriers are well aware that their chosen profession is fraught with danger not only for themselves (dealing with horses that are not accustomed to being shod) but also for the horse. (Nails can prick the sensitive structure of the hoof if nailed too coarsely).
There would not be a farrier in the country who has not experienced this problem not to mention the raft of other potential problems associated with shoeing horses.
It is important for the horse owner to deal with a professional qualified farrier where possible. (Some parts of the country are very isolated and in those places owners tend to shoe their own horses or get a friend to give it a go.)
The farrier constantly tries to mitigate the effects of shoeing by paying particular attention to correct trimming and hoof preparation, choosing the correct size and style of shoe most suited to the horse and ensuring that the shoe is nailed on so that the shoe does not cause any discomfort through the nails being driven too coarsely or sole pressure from the shoe being clamped too tightly to the hoof that has been over trimmed.
The qualified farrier has a broad knowledge base and experience that serves him well when dealing with problem feet. A shoeing job that is not completed to a high standard, if repeated at each subsequent shoeing, will eventually cause further problems for the horse later in its life. Common shoeing faults begin with poor trimming. Hoof balance is essential so placing a well fitted shoe to a poorly trimmed or unbalanced hoof is unacceptable and counterproductive.
Likewise a poorly fitted shoe on a well balanced hoof is equally prejudicial to the horse's long term soundness.
Is there an affordable alternative to shoeing horses with steel shoes?
The real problem is partially included in your question. Affordability is a major concern to most horse owners and farriers alike.
Farriers do not impose steel horseshoes on the client however it is the most affordable and durable material currently in use.
A good farrier will have a range of alternatives at his disposal. Aluminium, titanium, glue on shoes, plastic shoes as well as the range of different products designed to replace missing hoof wall.
All these products can be substituted for steel and in some cases are more beneficial for the horse, however they all come with a higher dollar value and usually they require your farrier to prove he has greater skills than the bloke who just hammers steel shoes on to poorly prepared hooves.
Most farriers would agree that nailing steel shoes onto a horse hoof is not ideal.
Interestingly, enough the Merovingians of the 7th century are thought to be the inventors of the nailed on shoe. They used iron of exceptional purity that was both malleable and tough.
Apparently it would conform to the natural movement of the hoof while also protecting it from excessive wear. Unfortunately this metal working technique was lost and later replaced with the advent of high-carbon iron, a much more durable and robust product. The farriers of the time identified the problems (too thick and heavy) associated with this product which was to become mild steel and they have been searching for a viable alternative ever since.
Why is it important to shoe your horse regularly every five to seven weeks?