The Horse Owner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Horseshoe

Whether you’re new to horse ownership or a seasoned rider, there’s one question that dominates conversations between equestrians across the country: What kind of horseshoes are best for my horse?

Horseshoes are available in a range of sizes and styles, including steel horseshoes, aluminum, bar or egg, nail-on or glue-on. Each choice affects how your horse moves and performs.

This guide to the types of horseshoes will walk you through everything you need to know about horseshoes, including:

• Why horses need horseshoes

• Whether your horse needs them

• The main types and materials

• How farriers make shoeing decisions

• And what you can do as an informed owner to support healthy, happy hooves

Why Do Horses Need Horseshoes?

Horseshoes may appear to be a simple piece of curved metal. But they serve a vital role in protecting a horse’s hooves from wear and injury. The benefits of a fitted and purpose-chosen horseshoe include:

• Horseshoes protect against excessive wear on hard ground or rocky terrain

• The right shoes can provide traction to prevent slipping

• Horse owners can find shoes that correct hoof imbalances or deformities

• For horses experiencing lameness and hoof conditions, quality horseshoes can relieve pain and support recovery

• In horse riding disciplines like jumping, racing, or driving, quality horseshoes enhance performance

While wild horses go barefoot, their hooves naturally wear down as they roam across large distances. Domestic horses, on the other hand, live and work in far more varied and sometimes harsher conditions, requiring horseshoes to protect their hooves.

Does Every Horse Need Shoes?

While some horses thrive barefoot, especially those living on soft pastures or ridden only lightly, most benefit greatly from a fitting with effective horseshoes. Horseshoes are particularly beneficial in the following circumstances:

• When the horse works regularly on hard, abrasive, or uneven ground

• If the horse performs in disciplines that demand traction or agility

• When the horse has past hoof injuries

• The horse is experiencing hoof diseases such as laminitis or navicular syndrome

 

A good farrier will evaluate your horse’s hooves, gait, and workload before recommending whether or not shoes are needed, and if so, which type.

Horseshoe Design & Function

The horseshoe matches the shape of the hoof and supports its natural function. The classic U-shape mirrors the hoof’s curve, while nail holes allow secure attachment to the outer wall.

Modern horseshoes aren’t just metal plates anymore. They’re part of an evolving science that combines biomechanics, material technology, and veterinary insight.

Farriers may modify shoes to alter how a horse bears weight, relieve pressure in sore areas, or improve traction on specific surfaces. Every detail, from the shoe’s material to its toe shape, plays a role in its performance.

Data published in the Journal of Animal Science Volume 101 found that horses that used horseshoes after previously being barefoot experienced significant improvements in gait over a 12-week period.

Types of Horseshoes and Their Applications

When comparing horseshoes, consider the application of each horseshoe style. Here’s a breakdown of the most common styles and their best uses:

Keg Shoes (Standard U-Shoes)

The everyday workhorse of the horseshoe world, pre-sized U-shaped steel shoes fit most hoof types with minimal modification.

Best for: General riding, working, or training horses.

Why choose keg horseshoes: Affordable, durable, and adaptable to most needs.

Straight Bar Shoes

Unlike the open heel of a standard shoe, straight bar shoes feature a solid bar connecting the heels. This extra support stabilizes the hoof and helps protect weak or injured areas.

Best for: Horses with cracked heels, laminitis, or navicular pain.

Why choose bar horseshoes: Provides a strong brace under the back of the foot, preventing further damage.

Egg Bar Shoes

Oval-shaped with an extended heel area that resembles an egg, egg bars shift weight away from the heel and support the back of the hoof.

Best for: Horses with underrun or sore heels.

Why choose egg bar horseshoes: Improves heel support and helps relieve strain from the deep digital flexor tendon.

Heart Bar Shoes

These shoes comprise a heart-shaped frog plate that redistributes weight evenly across the hoof.

Best for: Horses recovering from laminitis or founder.

Why choose heart bar horseshoes: Offers critical frog support to improve circulation and reduce pain during recovery.

Racing Plates

Built from lightweight aluminum, racing plates reduce hoof weight for faster acceleration.

Best for: Racehorses and other performance disciplines that demand speed.

Why choose racing plate horseshoes: Minimizes drag while offering basic protection and traction.

Studded / Traction Horseshoes

Traction horseshoes have screw-in studs or welded caulks to enhance grip on slippery surfaces.

Best for: Eventers, hunters, or carriage horses on grass or pavement.

Why choose studded horseshoes: Customizable traction for performance or working conditions. Studs can be removed when not needed.

EasyCare Glue-On Horseshoes

Glue-on horseshoes are where technology meets traditional farriery. Instead of nails, these products are bonded to the hoof using durable adhesives.

Best for: Horses with thin walls or hoof damage that can’t hold nails.

Why choose glue-on horseshoes: Lightweight, flexible, and ideal for horses sensitive to traditional shoeing.

Therapeutic and Specialty Shoes

There are endless variations of therapeutic horseshoes to correct movement or support recovery. Examples include wedge shoes (for low heels), hospital plates (for hoof treatment access), and bar shoes with pads (for cushioning).

Best for: Horses undergoing rehab or long-term corrective work.

Why choose therapeutic horseshoes: They’re custom-built for soundness and comfort, not aesthetics.

Comparing Horseshoe Materials and Their Advantages

Different horses, terrains, and workloads call for different materials. Here’s a comparison chart:

 

Steel horseshoes wear more slowly than aluminum but are heavier. Aluminum horseshoes enhance performance but may require more frequent replacement. Meanwhile, glue-on horseshoe products, such as EasyCare, are best suited for horses with thin hoof walls, previous nail damage, or hooves too weak to hold traditional nails securely.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Horseshoes

Each hoof is unique to the animal. Choosing the ideal horseshoe requires considering the horse’s practical daily use of the shoe style.  Below are several elements to consider when choosing a horseshoe.

Hoof Health and Structure

A horse with healthy, strong hooves has different needs than one with thin walls, cracks, laminitis, or navicular disease. Damaged or diseased hooves may require therapeutic shoes with specific features such as heart bars for support, wider webbing to distribute weight, or pads for cushioning.

Poor hoof quality, including brittle, shelly, or slow-growing hooves, may not hold nails well and might require glue-on shoes or alternative attachment methods. They also need shoes that won't stress weak hoof walls.

Discipline and Workload

Trail horses and jumpers have completely different needs. A horse doing light trail riding experiences far less concussive force than a jumper landing from a 4-foot oxer or a barrel racer making explosive turns.

High-impact disciplines often require shoes with better shock absorption. Thicker shoes, pads, or specialized materials that cushion the hoof. High-mileage horses should have harder, more durable materials or protective features, including toe clips and heel calks.

Terrain

Different disciplines need different levels of grip. Dressage horses benefit from smooth shoes that allow pivoting and fluid movement on arena footing. Reining horses need sliding plates on the hind feet to perform those dramatic sliding stops. Eventers and trail horses need studs or borium (tungsten carbide) for grip on varied terrain.

Horses working daily on pavement or rocky ground will wear through shoes much faster than those working in a soft arena a few times a week. Hard-packed roads require traction; grassy fields may not.

Sensitivity or Allergies

While true allergic reactions to horseshoe materials are rare, some horses develop contact dermatitis or sensitivities to certain metals, particularly nickel alloys found in some steel shoes. Aluminum shoes are often a good alternative for sensitive horses, as they're lighter and less likely to cause reactions. If your horse shows signs of irritation, swelling, or unusual hoof sensitivity after shoeing, consult with both your farrier and veterinarian to identify the cause.

Therapeutic Requirements

Conditions like navicular, ringbone, or laminitis often require custom or bar-style shoes for stability and support. Modern options include plastic composite shoes, glue-on shoes that avoid nail holes, and therapeutic shoes designed to redistribute weight and relieve pressure points. Your farrier can help select the most appropriate material and style based on your horse's individual needs, conformation, and any sensitivities they may have, ensuring both comfort and proper hoof function.

A skilled farrier balances these factors to create a solution that supports both the hoof and the horse’s overall biomechanics.

FAQs On Horseshoe Types

How often should my horse's shoes be replaced or reset?

Most horses should have their shoes reset or replaced every 4-8 weeks, with 6 weeks being the average. This timing depends on how fast your horse's hooves grow, their workload, and the terrain they work on.

Even if the shoes still look good, hoofs grow and the shape changes, causing the shoe to become unbalanced and potentially creating stress on joints and tendons. Horses in heavy work or on abrasive surfaces may wear through shoes faster and need more frequent changes. Regular farrier visits are essential not only for replacing shoes but for maintaining proper hoof balance and catching potential problems early.

What's the difference between hot shoeing and cold shoeing?

Hot shoeing involves heating the shoe in a forge until it's red-hot, then briefly placing it against the hoof to create a precise fit before cooling it in water and nailing it on. This allows the farrier to make fine adjustments and form a perfect seal between the shoe and hoof.

Cold shoeing is the shaping of pre-made shoes at room temperature using tools like pritchels and hammers. While cold shoeing is faster and doesn't require forge equipment, hot shoeing generally provides a more customized fit and better hoof-to-shoe contact.

Many farriers prefer hot shoeing for horses with irregular hoof shapes or those requiring corrective work, though both methods are effective when done properly by a skilled professional.

Can my horse wear different types of shoes on the front versus the back hooves?

Absolutely, and it's actually quite common. Horses often wear different shoe styles on their front and hind feet because these hooves serve different biomechanical functions and experience different stresses. For example, reining horses typically wear regular shoes in front but sliding plates on the hind feet for those signature sliding stops.

A horse with navicular disease in the front might wear heart bar or egg bar shoes up front, while having standard keg shoes at the back. Eventers might use studs in all four shoes, but with unique stud configurations for the front and back. Your horse's movement pattern, health conditions, and their specific discipline all influence whether mixing shoe types makes sense.

Do horseshoes affect a horse's natural gait or movement?

Yes, horseshoes do influence movement, though the goal is always to support and enhance natural gait rather than hinder it. The weight, balance, and design of a shoe change how the hoof lands during movement.

Heavier shoes can create more pronounced movement (which is why some show horses wear weighted shoes), while lighter shoes allow quicker foot speed. Incorrectly fitted or unbalanced shoes can cause shortened stride, unevenness, or compensatory movement that leads to soreness. However, properly fitted shoes should actually improve gait by providing support, correcting imbalances, and allowing the horse to move more comfortably and confidently.

What are the signs that my horse's shoes don't fit properly or need immediate attention?

Watch for several warning signs that indicate shoe problems requiring urgent farrier attention. If your horse suddenly becomes lame, shows reluctance to move forward, or displays a shortened or uneven stride, the shoes may be causing discomfort.

Visible signs include a shoe shifting to one side, loose nails with gaps between the shoe and hoof, or a shoe that's worn unevenly, suggesting imbalanced weight distribution. You might hear clicking sounds when your horse walks, indicating a loose shoe that could catch and tear the hoof wall.

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