Aluminium Shoes on Show Horses... (Broodmares)

[zoeshiloh]

I was chatting to my farrier today, who is coming out at the weekend to reshoe Evy before Lincoln County. She has to wear shoes on her front feet, as although she is fine in the field etc without shoes, she can get footsore on harder ground, and with a full book of shows this season I wanted her to be comfortable.

Anyway, we were chatting away on the phone, and he suggested putting aluminium shoes on her. I had heard of racehorses having racing plates etc, but I've not heard of a show horse having aluminium shoes on. I assume the reason would be that they would feel less heavy in front and show off their movement more?

Just wondered if anyone else had heard/done this and what the benefits were. I am assuming it is going to cost a lot more than ordinary shoeing, and that they wont last as long, so just want to know a bit more before quizzing the farrier again.

 

[CrazyMare]

Yup lots of show horses and ponies wear plates. Mine has had them on once or twice but didn't really suit her. They don't last as long with road work etc but I think if they are just in the field they would probably be OK.

They generally make the movement lighter and floatier.

 

[volatis]

some of our show pony broodmares have plates rather than standard shoes

 

[Thistle]

I visited a 2 year old sport horse today who has just had plates fitted. Give _SN_ a PM.

 

[S_N]

[ QUOTE ]
I visited a 2 year old sport horse today who has just had plates fitted. Give _SN_ a PM.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL!! So you did! I was just about to say that H is now wearing plates - only in front though. B (H's dam) wore plates infront at the only county show she's been too (with H at foot), when she was second in the Sportshorse Broodmare at Devon County.

 

[Penniless]

We've put them on a few of our youngsters and mares in the ring. We've never been charged any more than the price of usual shoeing.

 

[Thistle]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I visited a 2 year old sport horse today who has just had plates fitted. Give _SN_ a PM.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL!! So you did! I was just about to say that H is now wearing plates - only in front though. B (H's dam) wore plates infront at the only county show she's been too (with H at foot), when she was second in the Sportshorse Broodmare at Devon County.

[/ QUOTE ]

And a very smart bot he now looks too. Let me know the verdict!

 

[misterjinglejay]

Jay used to have them glued on, when his feet were to bad for normal shoes. Very shiney, just didnt last long.

 

[Touchwood]

Genuine question here - do you find the broodmares really need them? None of mine are in shoes and the show rings are normally grass surfaces so it would never occur to me to put shoes on a broodmare unless she had a specific problem.

 

[hellspells]

My little TB use to have them, as I recall they were slightly more but not hugely more expensive than normal. The weight difference is unbelievable and made a huge difference to her

 

[zoeshiloh]

[ QUOTE ]
Genuine question here - do you find the broodmares really need them? None of mine are in shoes and the show rings are normally grass surfaces so it would never occur to me to put shoes on a broodmare unless she had a specific problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

My mare that has shoes on definately needs them - she gets very footy just on hard ground - its not so much the actual rings, but the gravel tracks that lead to them etc. None of my other mares wear shoes, just this one (and only in front).

She has already won at county level with these bog standard shoes on, but I think I might ask my farrier to change them, at least for Lincoln, and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for all your help guys - you learn something new everyday!

 

[zoeshiloh]

Just spoke to farrier again, and he is coming out this afternoon. He said he would look at her in the school with her current shoes on, and then without shoes on and see how much difference there is in her movement.