Question about aluminum shoes on a draft horse with hoof issues

My client's draft horse had persistent hoof cracks that standard steel shoes didn't help. Most farriers in my area insist steel is mandatory for strength, but I found aluminum shoes eased the load and stopped the cracking. What's your take on using lighter materials for draft breeds?

3 comments

3 Comments

anderson.terry1mo ago

Man, I used to swear by steel shoes for drafts, thought anything lighter was asking for trouble. I mean, these are big horses, right? But then I saw a buddy's Percheron with aluminum shoes, and the change was huge. The farrier there said less weight on the hoof lets it move better, which helps with cracks. It made me rethink the whole strength vs. give thing. So yeah, if aluminum shoes stopped the cracking for your client, that's proof enough for me. Sometimes we get stuck in old ways and miss the simple fix.

dakota_king31mo ago

How much does shoe weight really matter for drafts? From what I've seen, lighter aluminum lets the hoof move better, which helps with cracking. Your mileage may vary, but it's a solid option to consider.

shanewells1mo ago

Totally get that. Nothing beats seeing the proof right there in front of you.