Hot Shoeing vs Cold Shoeing

Hot Shoeing - Photo by Hans Splinter

Take it from us here at TicTac - everyone loves a nice new pair of shoes, even Horses!! No, especially horses!

But seriously, when it comes to protecting you horse's hooves, there are two main methods - Hot Shoeing and Cold Shoeing - and there are several arguments to support each method, but as with anything relating to horse care, there are also a number of factors to consider. As we all no, all horses (and owners) are different, so it's up to you to decide what works best for you and your four-legged friends. After all, it isn't you that's going to be trying them on!

However, you should always keep an open dialogue with an experienced farrier in order to get reliable advice on how to proceed. To give you a heads up though, here's a quick run-down on the basics of each method.

Hot Shoeing - is the application of hot shoes to the horses' hooves. The shoes are heated, moulded and if required after sizing them up, the blacksmith will place them back on the anvil in order to make any necessary changes before cooling them and nailing them into place. 


The advantages of hot-shoeing include: 

• The ability to draw and custom-fit clips for added strength.
• Hot metal shapes easier and more accurately than cold-shoeing.
• Accuracy - the hot impression on the hoof shows exactly where the nail holes lie, reducing the chance of pinching.
• The highs and lows of a dressed hoof will show and be corrected. 

The process can produce clouds of smoke/steam, which can be off-putting for some. And also, many voice their concerns over the loss of moisture in the horse's hooves by using this method. However, if applied correctly by a reliable farrier, the Hot Shoeing process is perfectly safe and effective.

Cold shoeing - is to simply take a cold shoe and shape it to the horse's hoof as accurately as the metal will allow before nailing it into position. Cold Shoeing tends be more beneficial for the blacksmith as opposed to the horse, in terms of its effectiveness and accuracy but it is generally less expensive, faster and more practical.

Other benefits of Cold Shoeing Include: 

• The fact that generally it's a much faster system
• Cost-wise, it's less expensive for the blacksmith and owner alike.
• This is a practical method for someone who wants to do their own horses. The investment in equipment is much less as is the skill required.
• If the blacksmith is not able to get close enough to the barn with his forge because of weather, etc., then cold shoeing is a suitable replacement.

To find out more about horse riding, and if you live near Crieff Hydro make sure you check out Crieff Hydro Hotel's Riding Centre in Perthshire.