If you’re upping your road work with your horse, it could be time to consider new shoes. Here, farrier Matthew Eastwood advises.
Q: My horse is usually only shod in front, but I’ve increased the amount of roadwork he’s doing and he seems a bit sore behind. Should his back feet be shod as well, or is there anything I can use to harden them up?
A: There are products available to harden your horse’s hooves, including Keratin Hoof Hardener and Gold Label Hoof Hardener Cream.
If you’re increasing his workload on harder ground, he’ll need shoes on his back feet, with or without the additional use of a hoof product.
The soreness he has behind could be due to tenderness, and his hooves may have been worn down to the extent that they need more protection.
