| Good health to most people means a combination | | | | and rubber. Most owners nail the shoes into the |
| of a balanced-diet, a good dose of exercise and a | | | | hoof, but in some cases a special adhesive can be |
| proper rest cycle. But all too often, some of us | | | | utilized. It was once common knowledge that |
| forget the minute details involved in staying | | | | horseshoes should be set at an angle of 45-50 |
| healthy: clothing. The kinds of clothes and shoes | | | | degrees. However, as time progressed and |
| that we wear do affect our health. Not having the | | | | technology got better the trend moved toward |
| proper sole can put unnecessary stress on the | | | | individual hoof angle customization. This procedure |
| spine and back muscles, which over time can lead | | | | requires adequate care and attention, because the |
| to many different forms of health complications. | | | | care giver must be aware of the subtleties of |
| Amazingly enough, this same principle is true of | | | | pressure distribution in each hoof. Depending on |
| some of our pets, particularly horses. | | | | the circumstances, some hooves may require |
| Horses require proper shoes in order to stay | | | | more attention than others. |
| healthy. It helps them maintain balance throughout | | | | Many owners now outsource the work of shoeing |
| the body and prevents injury to muscles, bones, | | | | to professionals who are trained in the art of |
| and tendons of the leg. Shoes also protect the | | | | shoeing a horse. Additionally, they can work to |
| hoof walls and all the bones located in that area. | | | | help correct any faults found the in the animals |
| Failure to maintain shoe hooves can lead to | | | | posture (especially those that can lead to injury). |
| ultimate lameness in the horse. | | | | A poorly positioned horseshoe can result in poor |
| As a part of the overall shoeing process, a horses | | | | circulation in certain areas of the leg. To prevent |
| shoe must be trimmed every 6 weeks. Foreign | | | | medical complications it is important to consult a |
| materials, like rocks, sticks and the like should be | | | | professional before decided to give extensive |
| removed from each hoof daily. Owners should | | | | care to your horse. A local veterinarian can help |
| monitor horse activity to make sure that the | | | | you maintain your horse's health, and in instances |
| animal is not suffering from an injury to the foot | | | | when his or her services are in adequate, they |
| or any other form of self-inflicted pain. | | | | can refer you to an expert. |
| Horseshoes can be made from steel, aluminum | | | | |