A well-trained horse is a happy horse. How are the horseshoes fixed on hoofs?

In nature, horses walk where they are more comfortable. Therefore, their hoofs do not get too fast. It is quite another matter when an animal is used for riding or for performing any work. In this case, hoofs can be thinned or changed in a short time. Correct the situation by forging. There is no pain in this procedure the animal does not deliver. His hooves remain intact for a long time. Well, of course, a shod horse during work feels much more comfortable.

A bit of history

People began to protect the hooves of horses with metal for a very long time - even in the first century of our era. However, at that time, not special horseshoes, but special iron covers were used. Of course, in such "shoes" the animal did not feel comfortable. Actually, the horseshoes themselves were used by the Celts. Later, in the sixth century, this tradition was adopted by the Germans, Slavs and Vandals. In those days, it was also thought that a shod horse (photo of such animals can be seen on this page) works better.

Stages of forging

The very procedure is performed by people of quite a rare profession today - blacksmiths. In order for a shod horse to feel comfortable, the procedure, of course, should be done according to a certain technology. Make a horseshoe in several stages:

1. The animal is examined in peace and motion. Previously, the horse is placed on a level platform to determine the setting of her legs.

2. They take off the old horseshoe.

3. Level the hooves.

4. Take measurements.

5. Fit the horseshoe.

6. Nail it.

What tools are used?

So, let's see how to properly shoe a horse. First of all, of course, you need to prepare all the necessary tools. The horses are forged using:

• Misfires;

• Ungulate rasp;

• Forging hammer;

• Hoof mites and knives;

• Paws;

• Spike key.

How do they remove the horseshoe?

Before performing this procedure, the blacksmith grasps the animal's leg between the knees in such a way that the shin is in front of it. Next, he lifts the horse's limb up and chops or folds off the sheep's cut-off. Actually, the procedure for removing the horseshoe looks like this:

1. Forging mites are placed between the horseshoe and the hoof in the heel part.

2. Their handles are directed downward, pulling the horseshoe alternately on one and the other branch.

3. With a hammer, the horseshoe is pushed back.

4. Tack the nails' heads out and pull them out of the hoof. Begin this procedure usually with a calcaneal part.

Cutting the sole

The horn part of the hoof in horses quickly grows (just like the nails of people). And sometimes not too evenly. Therefore, before attaching the horseshoe, the sole should be leveled. Among other things, this procedure in certain cases allows you to correct the wrong setting of the animal's legs. A horse that has a similar defect can be used more intensively in the work. The hooves are pruned using the rasp in the direction of the heel parts. At the same time, only the cracked dead horn is removed (leaving its thin layer). Carry out trimming as neatly as possible. If a too thin layer is removed from the hoof, then the horn may break off. If the smith, on the contrary, "overdo it", the horse can be injured when used in work.

Measuring

Horseshoes for horses are made locally or purchased ready. Their size can be different (from 0 to 8). For the front and rear hoofs, unequal horseshoes are used. The measure is usually removed using a rod or ruler. For the selection of the correct horseshoe you should know the width of the sole in two places, and also its length from one of the heel knots to the middle of the hook.

Horseshoe fit

This procedure should be carried out without fail. At the same time, the main rule must be observed: the horseshoe is fitted to the hoof, and not vice versa. Metal after the forging should fit as close to the hoof as possible. Achieving this is the main goal of adjustment. Nails on the horseshoe should be located opposite the white line. Also, when performing the fit, it is necessary to ensure that in the lateral and hooked parts the metal protrudes from the hoof by 0.5-1 mm, on the heel - by 3 mm, from the calcaneal corners by 4-8 mm in the upper animals and by 10-15 mm in Harnesses.

Mounting

Nails for forging can be used in different lengths. They are hammered into the hoof with light hammer blows. Pre-horseshoe fixed with two nails. Then the smith lowers the horse's leg and checks the correctness of its location. Displacements are eliminated by light hammer blows. After the horseshoe takes the desired position, it is fixed with the remaining nails.

A well-trained horse works much better. But in any case, this operation should be repeated periodically. The time interval between the replacement of the horseshoes depends primarily on the conditions under which the animal operates, and also on the speed of growth of the horny layer of hooves. Usually they forge horses once a month and a half.

So, we have found out how to shoe a horse. For beginners of blacksmithing, we hope this information will be useful. The main thing when doing the forging is to smooth the sole of the hoof well and properly fix the horseshoe.