The Best Horseshoe Plastic Ground Control vs. Steel and Aluminum Horseshoes

          To shoe or not to shoe is often a hotly debated question, but what happens when your horse needs more hoof coverage than barefoot can give- weather it be from a hoof problem, or sore feet- what shoe should you choose? I have chosen to compare the traditional shoes, steel and aluminum to Ground Control Horseshoes. I chose Ground Control shoes as I have the most experience with them in my practice. I've tried to add an objective view to each of the shoes.

         Here are a few points to keep in mind :

• The average steel shoe weighs 9 oz or more
• The average aluminum shoes weighs 6 oz or more
• The Ground Control Polyurethane Shoe weighs 3 oz

      If your horse lifts his legs 50 times per minute, 4 feet=12,000 lifts per hour in a 2 hour workout, he's lifted 6.74 tons. 

      Steel Shoes: 

•  Steel has long wear life as opposed to aluminum shoes, often being able to be reset twice.
• It is malleable without becoming brittle and can be shaped and modified.
•  It is economical as it can be reset, whereas aluminum is good for one shoeing. 
• The downside to steel is weight, 9 oz. turns into tons in as little as 45 minutes of working.
•  Steel is known to be more 'shock absorbing' vs. Aluminum.
• Best shoe overall for horses with fractures or surgery where the hoof capsule must not move. 

      Aluminum Shoes: 

• Lighter than steel.
• More expensive.
• Cannot be reset.
• Brittle and may add more 'sting' to the hoof and joints. 
• Will wear to the breakover of the horse. 

     Both Steel and Aluminum:

• Weigh more than polyethylene shoes.
• 'Snowball' in winter.
• Do not allow the hoof to expand and contract.
• Prevent the frog from embracing the ground, leading to atrophy of the frog and collateral cartilages, leading to underrun heels, navicular. 
• Both do not allow for energy dissipation, straining joints. 
• Metal Shoes have an analgesic effect, leaching as much as 5 degrees of heat from the horses hoof. A change as little as 1/4 degree will cause a decrease in dexterity. Your horse will not be able to feel as accurately.  

    

  Polyurethane Ground Control Horseshoes: 

• Non-leaching, will not cause a change in heat or circulation. 
• Allows for expansion and contraction medially and laterally of the hoof capsule. 
• Shock absorbing. 
• Lightweight, 3 oz. 
• Thicker than aluminum and steel. 
• Outlasts metal, steel and aluminum, 2 :1 with a money back guarantee. 
• Excellent choice for arthritic horses, or horses suffering from ring bone, founder or joint/suspensery  problems. 
• Frog support bar stimulates the frog, allowing for stimulation of the internal structures.
• Easy to shape with nippers and rasp- no special tools required.
• Not as widely known as traditional horseshoes- you may have to make a special request from your farrier- or order your own. Or get an open minded farrier. 
• Come in pretty colors- pink, black, and clear. 
• More traction on varied terrain. 
• Stay on longer- will flex if caught on something (such as a fence) and not 'rip' the hoof apart. 
• Frog support is removable. 
• Flip-flop action sheds mud, but the hoof is harder to clean. 
• Can be used with pads, pour in or traditional.
• Removal is different- one nail at a time, vs. using shoe pullers as leverage.  

Do you have questions about anything in this article, or have a hoof question, contact me at www.NaturalFarrier.com. I have free hoof care videos, articles and more!