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!
