Natural hoof care
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Natural hoof care is the practice of keeping horses so that their hooves are worn down naturally, or trimmed to emulate natural wear, so they do not suffer overgrowth, splitting and other disorders. Horseshoes are not used, but domesticated horses may still require trimming, exercise and other measures to maintain a natural shape and degree of wear.
Horse with natural hooves wearing boots to protect from rocks and provide traction
Booted horse on a trail ride (the horse is in a transition period where it cannot be ridden barefoot after shoe removal)
Hoof nippers are used to begin a trim of the hoof wall.
A hoof boot may help protect the horse's hooves during the transition period.
Horseshoe
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A horseshoe is a product designed to protect a horse hoof from wear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall that is anatomically akin to the human toenail, although much larger and thicker. However, there are also cases where shoes are glued.
Horseshoes are commonly made of steel, and are nailed to the underside of the hoof.
A variety of horseshoes, including aluminum racing plates (light or dark); there is also a variety of oxshoes at the lower right
A hipposandal, a predecessor to the horseshoe
English horseshoes from the 11th to the 19th centuries