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HORSESHOES

More than just good luck

By Rebecca Berry

October 8^th, 2014

Horses have been wearing shoes, in one form or another, for over 6000 years. It did not take long for horsemen to realize that in order to keep their horses working they had to protect their feet to help prevent lameness. Ancient Asian horsemen used rawhide and woven grasses as hoof protection and the Romans created the “hipposandal,” which was modelled after their own footwear, for their horses.

The first nail-on shoe was crafted sometime between 500 A.D. and 900 A.D. and by 1000 A.D. nail-on horseshoes, cast from bronze, became common in Europe. During 1200 A.D. iron-cast horseshoes became mainstream, were made in large quantities and could be bought already made.

Surprisingly little has changed in the world of horseshoes since the 13th century. They are still used for the same reason, still put on the same way and many farriers still forge their own shoes. What does differ, however, are the many different types of shoes that are used and the certification of farriers.

Tina Llewellyn, a graduate of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Farrier program in 2004, explains that it is important for horse owners to use certified farriers, as the farrier trade is not regulated in Canada. Certified farriers have a good understanding of horse anatomy and will be able communicate with a horse’s veterinarian, ensuring that the horse is shod properly according to his conformation and possible special needs.

Farrier programs, such as the one offered at KPU, teaches horse anatomy, equine physiology of leg and hoof, equine disease and lameness, as well as forge work, hoof trimming and shoeing. This nine-month long program prepares students to apprentice with a certified farrier. During the three-to four-year apprenticeship, the student farrier will go through four levels of certification, eventually becoming a journeyman farrier.

As there are only two schools in Canada that offer a farrier program, it is a very difficult trade to regulate. “There are so many different opinions on how horses should be shod,” Llewellyn says. “Here in Canada, we do not have our own set of criteria as our farrier numbers are a lot smaller than in the United States and the United Kingdom and so spread out across the country.” With no governing body to ensure that farriers meet a certain standard of shoeing, it is impossible for an owner to know what they are paying for, which is why it is important to use a certified farrier.

Footnotes

photos: Rebecca Berry

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FootNotes

photos: Rebecca Berry

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