A chat with an old timer at the Kentucky Derby changed my mind about hot shoeing

He said he stopped hot shoeing his jumpers after one kept getting quarter cracks, and now he only cold shoes them. I've always thought hot was better for fitting, but seeing his horses move so well made me rethink it. Anyone else switch to cold shoeing for certain horses?

3 comments

3 Comments

cameronp472mo ago

That point about quarter cracks really hits home. I had a similar issue with a horse that just couldn't hold a shoe. Switched to cold and the hoof wall got so much stronger. Sometimes the heat just weakens the structure, especially on horses with thin walls or bad feet. The fit might be perfect right after a hot shoe, but it's not worth it if the hoof can't take it.

gray8752mo ago

You switched to cold shoeing and it actually made the hoof wall stronger?

blake7922mo ago

Yeah, that part about the fit being perfect right after a hot shoe but the hoof can't take it. How long did it take you to see the wall actually get stronger after the switch? Like, was it a couple shoeing cycles, or did you notice a change in how the nail holes held up almost right away?