The Importance Of Horseshoes.
By Joseph Devine
Good health to most people means a combination of a balanced-diet, a good dose of exercise and a proper rest cycle. But all too often, some of us forget the minute details involved in staying healthy: clothing. The kinds of clothes and shoes that we wear do affect our health. Not having the proper sole can put unnecessary stress on the spine and back muscles, which over time can lead to many different forms of health complications. Amazingly enough, this same principle is true of some of our pets, particularly horses.
Horses require proper shoes in order to stay healthy. It helps them maintain balance throughout the body and prevents injury to muscles, bones, and tendons of the leg. Shoes also protect the hoof walls and all the bones located in that area. Failure to maintain shoe hooves can lead to ultimate lameness in the horse.
As a part of the overall shoeing process, a horses shoe must be trimmed every 6 weeks. Foreign materials, like rocks, sticks and the like should be removed from each hoof daily. Owners should monitor horse activity to make sure that the animal is not suffering from an injury to the foot or any other form of self-inflicted pain.
Horseshoes can be made from steel, aluminum and rubber. Most owners nail the shoes into the hoof, but in some cases a special adhesive can be utilized. It was once common knowledge that horseshoes should be set at an angle of 45-50 degrees. However, as time progressed and technology got better the trend moved toward individual hoof angle customization. This procedure requires adequate care and attention, because the care giver must be aware of the subtleties of pressure distribution in each hoof. Depending on the circumstances, some hooves may require more attention than others.
Many owners now outsource the work of shoeing to professionals who are trained in the art of shoeing a horse. Additionally, they can work to help correct any faults found the in the animals posture (especially those that can lead to injury).
A poorly positioned horseshoe can result in poor circulation in certain areas of the leg. To prevent medical complications it is important to consult a professional before decided to give extensive care to your horse. A local veterinarian can help you maintain your horse's health, and in instances when his or her services are in adequate, they can refer you to an expert.
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