To shoe or not to shoe?

From Jim: Horses have had metallic shoes fastened to their hooves since the time of the Greek civilization, maybe even before. One assumes this was the result of horses becoming lame from hoof wall damage and the loss of their services during inopportune moments-like wars and stuff. "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" "For the want of a Shoe, the horse was lost. For the want of horse the battle was lost... " So shoes are really important, Right? Well, sometimes. Because our animals are on a sanctuary and not working, shoes are used correctively or to protect damaged hooves-founder, defects, and so on. Our goal is to return the animal to a natural foot whenever possible. The horse's hoof is a complex structure which functions best and stays more healthy when unrestricted by an iron shoe. It flexes and actually "pumps" or stimulates circulation in the foot. Lower leg and foot circulation is not overwhelming in equines. The sole and frog of the hoof are shock absorbing in nature and help protect the bony part of the foot from stress damage. The growth and develop of new hoof tissues is promoted by natural ground contact. So we should only use "natural hoof care", Right? Not so much. As with all other care, the ultimate welfare of the animal is the driving factor in any decision. A great farrier (shoer) can be critical to the recovery and ongoing health of a horse, donkey, or mule. A bad shoer, incompetent or worse, can be a disaster. If you have any doubts, get references from trusted horse people, trainers, and of course, the vet. Watch the shoer at work. Observe your horse. Walk them out and see how they travel. Learn what a normal pace looks like and compare what you're seeing. It takes about a year for a horse to grow a new hoof. That can be a long layup if their foot care goes wrong. The old saying,"No foot, No horse", is so true!