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Cold Shoeing vs. Hot Shoeing

If you’ve ever held a horse while it is being shod, you’ve probably experienced the giant cloud of pungent smoke that develops when a farrier places a hot shoe against the sole of a horse’s hoof. But is this rather uncomfortable looking process necessary for your horse to have a good fit in his shoes?

When a farrier refers to hot or cold shaping, they are meaning the act of actually hammering the shoe into shape to fit on your horse’s hoof. Hot shaping tends to be much easier for the farrier – you can imagine that shaping cold iron would take quite a bit longer. Hot shoeing, however, refers to using a hot shoe to mark the sole of the hoof and to indicate to the farrier whether the shoe is the right fit. If there are still high points on the hoof to be filed down, these will show once the hot shoe has been placed on the hoof. This helps the farrier make the shoe a better fit for your horse.

Cold shoeing omits this step and instead fits the shoe to your horse, and then works with the hoof and shoe together to bring them into the right balance. This type of shoeing can provide your horse with just as good a fit as hot shoeing, and takes just as much, if not more, farrier skill to do it correctly. A farrier who uses the cold shoeing process should not be discounted. In fact, some horses cannot tolerate hot shoeing, and therefore must rely on the cold shoeing techniques. As with anything, it is the farrier’s skill that determines how well the shoes fit the horse, not the technique used. Some farriers will admit to using the hot shoeing technique because they are lazy and don’t want to pound cold iron for long periods of time, however be wary of any farrier who attempts to put a red hot horseshoe on your horse’s hoof – this can cause serious damage to the hoof wall and should never be done.

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Therapeutic Horseshoeing

In recent years, the art of therapeutic and corrective shoeing has come a long way, and now many lame horses can be given new pain-free lives, and can even resume work. Depending on the situation, there are many types of shoes to help your horse – here are just a few:

  • Heart-Bar Shoes. These shoes circle the entire hoof and also line up with the frog to provide added support. Traditionally used with foundered horses, heart-bars can help the frog to provide weight-bearing support. These shoes typically require an x-ray so the farrier can properly line up the shoe to provide the correct support.
  • Egg Bar Shoes. These oval shoes provide extra support to your horse’s feet, especially in the heel area. Useful for navicular disease and underrun heels, these shoes are not quite as common as heart-bars.
  • Natural Balance Shoes. Although made of a somewhat softer aluminum alloy, Natural Balance shoes are a lightweight choice that mimic your horse’s natural foundation. Allowing for a more natural breakover and better sole support, these can be a great choice for any horse, including those that are lame.
  • Hoof Pads. Although there is heated debate around the merits and drawbacks to using hoof pads, they are generally considered useful in certain situations. Particularly with foundered horses, a properly set pad can provide the frog support needed to make the horse more comfortable. Before using the pad, the hoof is always packed with material – many farriers use the same malleable plastic that dentists use for making moulds of your teeth. Once the packing and pad are in place, the farrier will nail on the horseshoe.

Remember that special shoes do not magically heal your horse, and if improperly used can actually do even further damage. Also be aware that with most of these different types of special shoes, great care must be taken to clean the hooves daily. Dirt and manure can easily build up in these shoes, which cover a large part of the horse’s foot. Bell boots are a good option as well, since there is a greater chance for your horse to catch his hind foot on the steel of the front shoe.


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How to Find a Good Farrier

Since good shoeing and trimming are vital to keeping your horse sound and healthy it is very important that when the time comes to have your horse trimmed and shod, you trust the person who is working on his feet.  Here are some tips to finding a good and reliable farrier:

  • Word of mouth.  Other horse people will clearly tell you who they like, who they don’t, and why.  These are the people who will let you know if a farrier shows up late for appointments or takes weeks to return a phone call.  Be sure to talk to other horse owners who have similar needs as your own, as someone who is showing their horses competitively will have different requirements from their farrier as someone doing casual trail riding.  Other good people to check with are your veterinarian, who will likely have a few people that they are comfortable working with, and also experienced stable managers, trainers, and breeders in your area.
  • Look at advertisements.  Some farriers, if they are relatively new or are trying to increase their clientele, will advertise in barns, feed and tack stores, equine publications, or even on the Internet.  Be aware that although this can be a good place to start in collecting names, you will still need to research them to make sure they are a competent farrier.
  • Check their certification.  Many farriers now choose to become members of the American Farrier’s Association, so that they can be certified in what they do.  The most extensive certification is the Journeyman Certified Farrier, who must have two years of direct experience and pass a comprehensive exam, both written and practical.
  • Ask for references.  A good farrier should have a few clients who are willing to say good things about them.
  • Interview your potential candidates.  Trusting your horse to a stranger’s hands is never easy.  Try to get to know your farrier first by talking to them on the phone, and even having them out to meet your horse (at your expense of course).  Discuss with them your horse’s special needs, and find out whether they have experience dealing with these issues.

Finding a farrier is not much different than finding a good doctor.  With a little research and networking, you’ll be sure that your horse is in good hands!

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