Why do horses need shoes? What is their purpose?

Content

• What are horse shoes?
• The purpose of horseshoes.
• Should you shoe your horse?
• Are there any risks in wearing shoes?
• Final thoughts.

You may have wondered why horses need shoes and what purpose a horseshoe serves. Like human nails, horse hooves grow continuously, and in the wild, they are naturally degraded by the terrain they live on. Domestic horses need joints to protect their hooves from rough surfaces not encountered in the wild, such as concrete.

Not all horses need shoes, and the big question is whether your horse needs them and whether they are harmful to your horse. In this article, we will look at why some horses need shoes and others not, what horse shoes are made of and what their purpose is. Let's begin!

What are horse shoes?

Horse shoes are U-plates that fit over your horses hooves. They are usually made of iron or steel  but sometimes rubber or aluminium, and are used to protect your horse's hooves from surfaces hard. Horse shoes are fitted by a farrier, a specialist in equine foot anatomy who makes custom horse shoes and trims your horses hooves. Shoes are nailed to the outside of your horses hooves, but don't worry! The outer part of your horse's hooves does not feel painful and the shoes do not hurt your horse.

Different types of horseshoes are used for specific purposes, such as sports or horses with specific conditions, including rim shoes, trailer shoes and square shoes.

The purpose of horseshoes

There are many reasons to shoe your horse, including protecting their hooves from damage, improving traction and preventing injury. This is especially true for horses that make repeated movements with their feet in events such as dressage and show.

Wild horses' hooves are naturally maintained as they trudge through miles of varied terrain every day, but domestic horses need shoes and regular trimming to keep their hooves comfortable and pain-free. Of course, it also depends on the individual horse, and less athletic horses will require less maintenance. Depending on your horse's activity level, they will need a hoof trim every 4-8 weeks, and unbalanced hooves can be disastrous for your horse.

That said, there is controversy surrounding shoeing practice, and there are some horsemen who believe that horses shouldn't wear shoes—they say that if your horse's shoes are trimmed and kept properly There is no need. Although it has been proven that shoeing does not cause any pain or stress to most horses, some people still believe that the practice is inhumane.

Should you shoe your horse?

Whether to shoe your horse depends largely on the individual horse and what the animal is being used for. Pleasure horses, for example, don't necessarily need shoes, and routine grooming and grooming are just fine for them.

That said, some horses have diseases or conditions that require the use of shoes to relieve pain, while others may have natural defects, such as flat hooves or muscle problems that shoes can help with. . In addition, horses that carry heavy weights need regular shoes to prevent their hooves from coming down too quickly, and so horses need extra traction in mud, snow, or ice.

Regardless of whether your horse needs shoes, they still require regular care, as domestic horses do not experience the conditions that would naturally wear their hooves.

Are there any risks in wearing shoes?

Shoeing your horse is more expensive than regular trimming, and there are definitely some risks involved. There is always a chance of misplacing the shoe when fitting, which can cause pain and discomfort later on. Also, your horse may accidentally remove a shoe from their hoof, potentially injuring a muscle or tendon or even tearing the hoof wall.

However, most farriers are experts who are extremely dedicated to their job, and there is little risk with an experienced farrier. Shoeing and letting your horse go barefoot have both risks and benefits, and in the end, it's what's best for the horse that matters.

Final thoughts

While domestic horses don't necessarily need shoes, they definitely need regular trimming and care of their hooves. Whether you decide to shoe your horse, it's important to find a good farrier that you trust.

There are many reasons and benefits to shoeing your horse, and they can help extend the life of your horse's hooves and protect them. There are some drawbacks besides cost, and if your horse is carrying a heavy load, being used for trail riding, or participating in equestrian sports, most experts agree that shoes are essential. .

Horse Gaites | Horse movement terms and disorders

Content

• Terminology
• lead
• Diagonal
• Five main horse gates
• Walk
• Trot
• Canter/Loop
• gallop
• behind
• Artificial doors
• Running Walk
• speed
• Slow speed
• Rick
• Result

Gait refers to the different ways your horse can move. There are five main types of gites, often referred to as "natural" gites. Most horses of all breeds can do these basic tricks. Additionally, some "artificial" gates can be learned from some horse breeds, although not all are capable. Let's take a look at these common and unusual horses so you can better understand each one.

Terminology

Before we start discussing the different gaits, it's important to go over some basic terms that are used to more easily describe the horse's movements.

lead

This term is used when describing canting and galloping, and is used to distinguish the leading edge. Left lead means that the left forehand is in front, while right lead indicates that the horse's right arm is in front.

Diagonal

When rotating, the forearm that moves forward when you are in the upward phase of posting is called the diagonal.

Five main horse gates

The five main horse gaits are considered natural because most horses are naturally capable of them.

Walk

A walk is a horse's slow, four-beat movement with two or three hooves always in contact with the ground. A typical pattern is a mirror of this pattern starting from the left arm, right hind leg, right forehead, left hind leg, or right forehead.

Trot

The trot is the next slowest gait, although considerably faster than the walk. This is a two-beat gate in which the horse's legs work in diagonal pairs. It is not as smooth as a walk because the horse climbs between each step. The trot pattern is right forehand and left hind leg, followed by left forehand and right hind leg, or vice versa.

Canter/Loop

A canter, also called a loop, is an interesting trick because it has three beats. One foot lands on its own, then a diagonal pair hits the ground together, and the last foot lands independently. The left lead canter pattern is right hind leg, left hind leg and right forehand together, then left forehand last. For the right lead canter, the pattern is left hind leg first, right hind leg and left front together, followed by right front.

Gallop

When you want to go faster on a horse, the gallop is your go-to. It's a four-beat movement, although it feels more like a canter than a walk. To gallop successfully, you need complete control of the horse, plus complete balance in all other gaits. For the right lead gallop, the peter starts with the left hind leg, followed by the leading hind leg, then the left foreleg, ending the stride with the right foreleg. Left lead gallop mirror right hind leg, left hind leg, right fore, left fore.

Behind

You can think of the rear gait as a reverse gear for horses. When backing up, the horse's steps will follow a trot-like pattern, so the right foreleg and left hind leg go together, and the left foreleg and right hind leg go together.

Artificial doors

Although called "artificial gates," these gates occur naturally in certain breeds of horses. There are many different breeds of gaited horses, and each has a distinct gait that is distinct and unique from other breeds.

Running Walk

You will see the Tennessee Walking Horse exhibit a walking gait. It's a flashy four-beat walk that's faster than a regular walk. The hind hooves will actually extend the front hooves by 18 inches during walking.

Speed

The pace is similar to the trot in that it is a fast two-beat gait. However, in a speed gait, both feet on the same side will hit the ground at the same time. So, the right front and back leg move together, and the left front and back leg move together simultaneously.

Slow speed

This is a four-beat lateral gate that is similar to the speed-driven version. legs both on the same side step at slightly only times different, creating a broken rhythm. The right hind leg steps first, followed by the right foreleg, then the left hind leg, with the left foreleg the last step.

Rick

An energetic and attention-grabbing gait that is quick and flashy, the rack is a gait exhibited by both the Tennessee Walking Horse and the American Saddlebred. Each foot steps separately from the others, leading to a very exaggerated gait.

Result

Although there are many different gates for horses overall, only five of them are considered natural gates. Other gates are classified as artificial gates, although they actually occur naturally as well. The main difference is that all horses are capable of natural gaits. Artificial doors can only be carried by certain species.

Kegger Mustang

 

Content

• Quick facts about the Kegger Mustang
• Kegger Mustang Review
• How much does the Kegger Mustang cost?
• General attitude and temperament.
• Appearance and types.
• How to Care for Keiger Mustangs
• Challenges of adoption.
• The process of adoption.
• Do kegger mustangs get along with other pets?
• Keep your Keiger Mustang healthy.
• Breeding
• Are Kegger Mustangs Right For You?

The kegger mustang is the name given to a particular breed of wild horse that has several important characteristics. The name only applies to horses that are in wild possession. If a horse has been bred in captivity, even from purebreds or animals, it is simply called a kegger horse. Keiger mustangs can be adopted or purchased, but they are wild horses and present many unique challenges.

The kegger mustang is a descendant of Spanish horses that were first brought to southeastern Oregon in the 17th century. This bloodline was believed to have disappeared until the kegger mustang was discovered and bred on the horse. A DNA test was not conducted.

Quick facts about the Kegger Mustang

Species Name: Kegger Mustang.

Family: Equidae

Level of care: high

Mood: Wild

Color Form: Dunn

Lifetime: 40 years

Size: Compact

Food: Grasses, grasses, grains, vegetables.

Kegger Mustang Review

A kegger mustang is a wild breed of horse that would be labeled as such when born wild. Those born in captivity, regardless of their breed, are simply called kegger horses.

Horses escaped or were stolen and their descendants crossed with other horses left behind by European settlers. Until the 1970s, it was believed that the Spanish stock originated from these wild tunnels, but in 1977 a round of woods in the Bates Butte area of ​​Harney County was discovered, resulting in the discovery of a group of horses and the color. These horses were separated and moved to Stance Mountain to save the breed.

Roundups take place every three or four years, and approximately 120 horses are kept for the Keiger HMA herd and the Riddle Mountain HMA herd. Any extra horses are then auctioned off to members of the public, and these horses are called kegger mustangs. It is worth noting that any kigger mustangs, even if they are not sold or deemed unsuitable for adoption, are killed as part of this process.

How much does the Kegger Mustang cost?

Kegger Mustangs are auctioned every three or four years. During these auctions, members of the public are invited to bid on the horses. Bidders must be able to demonstrate that they have adequate space to keep their horses before bidding for them. Prices average $1,000 to $1,000 but can reach $7,000 or more. That's a lot more than the $125 fee typically associated with the cost of a walk-up Mustang.

General attitude and temperament.

Although the breed is known to be adaptable and can be broken and trained, it is still a wild mustang. They are agile and intelligent, they have a lot of energy, but they are also considered to be gentle and calm.

Appearance and types.

The kegger mustang is usually a dun color but can be found in other solid colors as well. The breed registry includes a number of dun color variations, and includes bay, black and roan on the list of acceptable colors for the breed.

It is a compact horse but very muscular and their color and appearance make them a very desirable breed at auction. A horse may have one or more primitive markings, including a dorsal stripe or zebra stripes on the upper legs. The horse has a deep chest and short back and has the appearance of being a very physical and agile horse athlete.

Appearance and types.

The kegger mustang is usually a dun color but can be found in other solid colors as well. The breed registry includes a number of dun color variations, and includes bay, black and roan on the list of acceptable colors for the breed.

It is a compact horse but very muscular and their color and appearance make them a very desirable breed at auction. A horse may have one or more primitive markings, including a dorsal stripe or zebra stripes on the upper legs. The horse has a deep chest and short back and has the appearance of being a very physical and agile horse athlete.

How to Care for Keiger Mustangs

Caring for a Keiger Mustang is very different from caring for any other horse. They can be great companions and highly skilled competitors, but they are wild horses first.

Challenges of adoption.

Adopting a Keiger Mustang means you're riding a wild horse that's already owned. This means that it has been mistreated or well neglected by people who didn't know what to do with a wild horse after buying it. Softening a neglected horse takes even more work, and you should expect some difficulty in breaking the horse in this way.

The process of adoption.

When adopting a kegger mustang from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), there is a process that the adopter must go through. For the first year of adoption, the adopter agrees that the BLM may rehome the horse if it is neglected or no longer wanted. If, after the year has passed, the adopter wants to keep the horse, he needs to get it inspected. A certified person will come and check that the horse is kept in good condition and is not being abused or mistreated. Once the inspection is passed, the horse becomes a title kygar mustang and can be traded like any other horse.

Do kegger mustangs get along with other pets?

As a wild horse, the kegger mustang is used to being around other wild animals. It is considered a level horse and does not panic easily. In fact, the owners often regaled people with stories of keggers stalking motorcycles without fear. Also, horses are very large and strong animals and you should always be careful when introducing them to other animals, whether they are dogs or other horses. You should also make sure that any humans you introduce to the kigger mustang know how to handle wild animals.

Keep your Keiger Mustang healthy

The kegger mustang is a wild breed, which means it is a hardy and healthy breed with a life expectancy of 30 to 40 years. You should provide him with good food, make sure he has plenty of space and good food, and spend time with your kegger, especially if you want him to become a well-adjusted horse to ride. Good for

Breeding

A kegger mustang is a wild horse. If two wild-possessed keiger mustangs are crossed, the resulting horse will be officially recognized as a keiger horse, if it was born in captivity.

Are Kegger Mustangs Right For You?

Not only are they a rare horse breed, but to be considered a true kegger mustang, the horse must be born wild and not in captivity. About 100 or so thoroughbreds are auctioned to the public every three or four years, and adopters must go through a year-long adoption process to ensure the horse is cared for. has been and is being maintained in a healthy condition.

Once the horse trusts you, this breed has an incredible sense of self-preservation. Hardy and healthy, the breed can live up to 40 years, is highly sought after, and is a great addition to your stable, as long as you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.