What Equipment Does a Farrier Use?

Given the fact that farrier equipment is crucial for ensuring horse and rider safety, comfort and ease of communication, choosing proper, quality, and comfortable tools is what you should be after. Investing in the proper ones can certainly reduce the chances of injuries and discomfort, so focusing on choosing the most essential ones should be your only job.

Nowadays, the choice of essential farrier supplies is huge, and out of all, it’s the horseshoes that are among the most essential ones. The reason is obvious, don’t you think?! These shoes have one purpose, and that is not only to provide support to horses’ hooves, especially during high-impact activities, but also to protect them from excessive wear and injuries. 

The right horseshoes can also increase traction and improve the horse’s overall movement, which are just a few reasons why investing in them matters. But before you jump into decisions and choose the first ones you see on the market, you should know that the most common choice of such shoes is between ones made from steel and aluminium material.

What Are Steel Shoes?

Speaking of horseshoes as the most crucial farrier equipment, the ones made from steel are among the most commonly used options so far. They are the oldest and most traditional choice for horses, mainly because of their durability and strength. They are great for horses for hard work and rougher surfaces.

What Are Aluminum Shoes?

Aluminum horseshoes, on the other hand, are lighter in weight, which is one of the reasons why farriers decide to use them. According to professionals, these shoes are designed for improved performance and support, and are perfect for being used by horses for racing and some other competitive sports like jumping. They come in an array of different styles and sizes in order to fit different horses and activities.

Key Features of Steel Horseshoes

Strong and Long-Lasting

As you can already assume, the steel types of shoes for horses are extremely strong, durable, and long-lasting, perfect for daily use. Unlike aluminium, these shoes are designed to handle tougher jobs without bending or breaking, making them perfect for horses doing heavy work. 

Since these shoes are more durable and last longer, this means that fewer replacements will be needed, which will save more money in the long run. But aside from this, their initial cost is also more affordable, which is just one of the many reasons why so many farriers prefer their use. Practice shows that steel shoes are also easier to shape and work with, which explains the fact why these horseshoes are the first choice so far.

Heavier Weight

When compared to aluminum, steel shoes appear to weigh more, which can affect the horse’s balance – though, in a positive way. Thanks to their heavier weight, horses won’t have a problem staying steady on hard ground. Being heavy means that these shoes can also affect the way horses move and walk, improving their knee movement. 

All of these things make these shoes the perfect choice for show horses that need to walk more ‘gracefully’. The one thing you should keep in mind is that these shoes aren’t the perfect choice for injured horses, as they need lighter shoes that won’t put strain on their knees. In such occasions, the use of lighter shoes like the aluminium ones is way better in order to speed up the recovery process.

Best Uses

Being heavier, more durable and long-lasting makes these shoes perfect for:

• Horses that can do hard work.
• Horses that need extra support on hard surfaces.
• Farriers who want to invest in more durable shoes that don’t need frequent replacement.

Key Features of Aluminum Horseshoes

Lightweight

As you can already assume, these types of horseshoes are way lighter than the ones made from steel, which is just one of the main reasons why some farriers prefer their use over steel, making them popular with horse owners. Being lighter significantly reduces strain on the horse’s legs, which results in fewer injuries.

According to professionals, these shoes are also a common choice for horses with thinner and weaker hoofs that can’t handle the steel’s heaviness. The ones made from aluminum are significantly lighter in weight, more comfortable and easier to wear, causing no additional strain and wear. They are also a good choice for those horses that need better speed.

Durable

Even though steel shoes seem to be more durable and longer-lasting than aluminum, this doesn’t mean that the latter isn’t durable as well. Aluminum horseshoes can certainly wear out faster when used regularly and on rougher surfaces, still, they can be a good option for sports and therapy horses.

Best Uses for Aluminum Horseshoes

As already mentioned, these horseshoes are great for jumpers, racehorses, and those that have problems with their hooves. Thanks to them, these horses will feel less tired and have more strength to perform their daily tasks faster with ease.