Do Horses Need Shoes? Pros, Cons & How Often to See a Farrier

Not all horses need shoes. It depends on workload, hoof quality and the ground they work on. Every horse, shod or barefoot, needs regular farrier visits, typically every 4–6 weeks for shod horses and every 3–4 weeks for barefoot horses.

Why Do Horses Need Shoes?

Horses wear shoes to protect their hooves from wear and tear. Wild horses wear their hooves down by travelling many kilometres a day, but most domestic horses rarely move enough to do the same. Shoes help in four ways:

• Protection: Shield the hoof wall from cracks, chips and excessive wear.
• Traction: Grip in mud, on rocky ground and on slippery surfaces.
• Support: Take pressure off weak or damaged hooves.
• Correcting problems: A farrier can use specialised shoes to balance an uneven gait or manage a hoof condition.

Steel and aluminium are the most common types of horseshoes, and glue-on shoes suit horses with thin or damaged hoof walls. The best horse shoe depends on your horse's discipline, because what suits a racehorse won't always suit a trail horse.

The Pros of Shoeing

• Protection on hard ground: Shoes reduce wear on roads, rocky ground and hard arenas.
• Better traction: Helpful in wet, muddy or slippery conditions and for work such as jumping, racing and pulling carts.
• Support for hoof problems: Corrective and therapeutic shoes can ease strain and balance movement.
• Protection under heavy work: Shoes help hooves cope with the extra stress of intense work or competition, reducing cracks and excessive wear.
• Materials for every job: Steel shoes are durable and can be reset several times, while lighter aluminium shoes reduce fatigue and suit racing and showing.

The Cons of Shoeing

• Cost: Shoes and regular farrier visits add up over time.
• Risk of nail damage: Misaligned or overly tight nails can cause pain or long-term hoof damage.
• Loose or shifted shoes: Loose or shifted shoes can damage the hoof if they’re left unchecked.
• Regular re-shoeing: Shod horses need re-shoeing every 4–6 weeks, even when the shoes aren't worn out.
• Less natural hoof function: Some believe that hooves work more naturally without shoes, like wild horses.

Barefoot vs Shod at a Glance

Which Horses Need Shoes (and Which Can Go Barefoot)?

Shoes are usually the clear choice when:

• Your horse is in heavy work or competition
• The ground is hard or rocky
• Hooves are weak or cracked
• Your farrier or vet recommends corrective or therapeutic shoeing

Barefoot often suits horses that do light work, spend their time on soft ground and have strong hooves. Hoof boots offer a middle option, protecting the hooves for work and letting them stay bare the rest of the time. Horses that work now and then often need shoes on the front hooves only.

Strong hooves start with regular farrier care and good nutrition, and hoof supplements can support hoof quality. A hoof takes nine to twelve months to grow out fully, so give any change time.

How Often Should a Horse See a Farrier?

Most horses need a farrier every 3–6 weeks, depending on whether they're shod or barefoot.

• Shod horses: Re-shod every 4–6 weeks, even when the shoes aren't worn out.
• Barefoot horses: Trimmed about every 3–4 weeks, and 6 weeks at most. Soft ground and stable bedding don't wear hooves down, so regular light trims keep the shape correct.

What Changes the Interval

• Hoof growth rate: Individual horses grow hoof at different speeds, so a fast grower may need the farrier sooner.
• Season: Growth speeds up in summer when feed is plentiful and slows in winter.
• Age: Young horses grow hoof faster than mature and older horses. Weanlings can grow up to about 13mm a month, while older horses grow closer to 6mm.
• Workload: Fit horses in daily work tend to grow hoof faster.
• Hoof problems: Cracks, weak hooves or conditions needing corrective shoeing may call for closer visits.

Signs Your Horse Is Overdue for the Farrier

• Long or uneven hooves, which can cause chipping and stumbling
• Loose or shifted shoes, or nail tips (clenches) that have lifted
• The hoof growing out over the edge of the shoe on shod horses
• A barefoot hoof wall that extends about 6mm past the sole
• New chips or hoof cracks
• Heat in the hoof, or a change in how your horse moves

Call your farrier or vet as soon as you notice any of these. Our guide to hoof care covers what to check between visits.

Deciding What's Best for Your Horse

Ultimately, deciding whether to shoe your horse depends on their individual needs. If your horse is doing intense work on hard or rocky terrain, metal horseshoes or aluminium horse shoes might be necessary to prevent damage. But if they’re primarily in soft arenas or pastures, barefoot may be a good option, combined with regular trimming and maintenance.

Talk to your farrier and vet together, especially if your horse has hoof problems or lameness. They can assess your horse's hooves and recommend shoes, boots or a barefoot trim. Your horse's needs can change with age, workload and season, so review the plan with your farrier regularly and adjust it as things change.

FAQs