If the shoe fits...

Alex Robinson asks leading farriers how they shoe for specific disciplines to give the horse a winning edge

- Alex Robinson

“IT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FORMULA ONE CAR AND A FIESTA”

BEING hot on shoeing cycles is the main consideration for a rider trying to optimise their horse’s performance.

“The average happy hacker can go between six and eight weeks between sets, but with competition horses you may need to stick to a four- to five-week cycle,” says farrier Daniel Bennett. “This will increase marginal gains and protect from repetitive strain injuries. It’s a bit like comparing a Formula One car and a Ford Fiesta; the former is going to be serviced a lot more regularly. Plus, as soon as you balance the foot and nail a shoe on, the hoof starts growing again. They don’t grow level, so maintaining a shorter shoeing cycle helps you keep truer to the optimum balance.”

Farrier Aletia Reilingh agrees: “I like to have sport horses on a shorter cycle, making sure the hooves are kept balanced and the toe is not getting too long to avoid stress on the horse’s limbs,” she says. “Using X-rays to evaluate the feet for a shoeing plan is also hugely beneficial.”

Racehorses are shod every three to four weeks, as Daniel says: “The lightweight shoes wear out a lot more quickly.”