HORSESHOES
	Here are some of the more commonly used shoes. Top row at left is an eggbar shoe, next an aluminum bar shoe, an iron heart bar shoe, bottom left is a typical wide web shoe with clips, and at right in a shoe with Borium.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT HORSESHOES

For the average rider any wide web shoe will work just fine. However there are shoes designed for specific activities. The most common special use shoe is the Heel and Toe type. If you ride in hilly or steep mountainous terrain this is the shoe I recommend. However I caution you against applying this shoe to a horse who hasn't been ridden regularly. This can cause serious knee and hock problems. Condition your horse first in a flat shoe then apply these shoes. Barrel racing shoes are another sport specific shoe. Many people use a full rim shoe for this sport but a true Barrel Racing shoe gives your horse a greater advantage. This shoe is designed for Lateral traction reducing slippage which gives better traction in the turn which also gives the horse more confidence. If your horse feels as if its about to loose its footing then confidence and performance will be lost.

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Keep in mind when choosing a shoe that its being attached to a very heavy and powerful animal capable of subjecting it to extreme forces and abuse. The shoe must have the ability to withstand this and give support and protection. Otherwise its a waste of time and money. Also serious harm can be done by an inadequate shoe. Some horses are allergic to aluminum shoes. "BEWARE", some shoes are advertised for specific problems. Regardless of the type of shoe used, if the hoof hasn't been trimmed properly and the pastern angle set correctly, the whole purpose of applying the shoe has been defeated. The shoe has no magical properties that are absorbed into the hoof to correct anything. Correct trimming and correct setting of the pastern angle is absolutely vital to the health and performance of your horse.

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"TIP". If your Farrier is hot shoeing your horse be aware that this makes the shoe very slick. If you are riding in rocky terrain or on pavement the horse will experience slippage. An excellent way to prevent this is to use Borium. Borium is a traction agent that will prevent slippage if the correct type is applied. There are two types of Borium. One is for traction and the other is for extending the life of the shoe. Both will extend the life of the shoe but only one kind will prevent slippage. If you cannot see small chips of Tungsten Carbide in the Borium then you do not have the traction type. Borium can be applied to any type of "iron" shoe.

PADS

There are also many different types of pads. Some are for protection only, some are designed for concussion, some are for elevating the rear of the hoof, some are for corrective and or therapeutic purposes, and some are designed for treating sole injuries. When used properly the are of great advantage to the horse. Pads do not cause Thrush, regardless of what you've been told. If the sole is being packed with material that doesn't allow it to breath then Thrush will form. On a well cared for hoof the only substance that should go between the sole and pad is a generous portion of silicone. If you are a serious trail rider then I highly recommend pads.

SNOW PADS
	There are pads designed for the purpose of riding in snow. There design pushes or flips the buildup of snow away from the sole. If you live in an area where the snow hangs around for a prolonged period then I recommend these. "F.Y.I." Snow and or ice balls will build up on a barefoot horse just as easily as it will on a shod hoof.