Q: My horse constantly pulls his shoes in turnout. My farrier recommends keeping him in the stall or on a dry lot if I want to keep him shod. How do I keep my horse’s shoes on but still let him go out in the pasture and be a horse?

A: The old saying “No foot, no horse” rings true to this day. Dealing with lost shoes can be frustrating and going barefoot might not be a viable option. Turning out shod horses can be particularly challenging here in North Carolina, where conditions can fluctuate from sopping wet to bone dry every day, causing hooves to expand and contract – and that means loose nails and lost shoes. So, with the help of my fabulous farrier, Benny Howard, and the good folks at M&M Tack Shop in Raleigh, I have compiled ten strategies for keeping you horse’s feet shod and healthy:

1) Schedule: Stay on a regular shoeing schedule. If possible in the summer, have your horse shod every five weeks; the shoes can be fit more closely to the hoof and the nails will remain tight. The winter months tend to be more forgiving and can allow for a 6 week break. Discuss scheduling options with your farrier well in advance so they can plan appropriately.

2) Turn out conditions: Footing should be dry and relatively fly free. Keeping grass mowed short will help on both counts, plus, long grass can catch and pry the shoe off. Fly spray lower legs well before turn out to minimize stomping; repeated stomping is a sure way to loosen nails. Horse.com has an 8-piece Farrier Kit (on sale for $58) so you personally could clip off the loose nail heads and clinch them down.

3) Hoof condition: This starts from the inside out. Supplements that contain biotin and methionine such as Farrier’s Formula and Biozin can be helpful in promoting growth and integrity. Some breeds, such as thoroughbreds, are prone to thinner hoof walls.

4) Hoof protection: Seal for overnight turn out or bathing with a product that repels water such as Procare; or bind the surface by painting the nail holes with Keratex, which contains the preservative formalin. Do not use these products together.

5) Bell boots: For horses that have a tendency to overreach. Make sure they are large enough to touch the ground at the back and sides of the hoof.

6) Careful with Clips: With chronic shoe-pullers, you run the risk of stepping on a clip that can penetrate the sole and end in a coffin joint infection.

7) Communication: Talk to your farrier and barn manager about your concerns. Be on time and be prepared for farrier visits. Timely payment for services rendered and a well behaved horse ensure prompt return visits and shoe repair!

8) Hoof covers: If your horse does lose a shoe and you still want to turn him out for an hour or two, Cavallo Simple boots and the Easyboot Epic are both carried by M&M and offer a temporary fix. The Kavalkade Safety BA is a boot that is designed to hold the shoe on and can be worn 24/7.

9) Reconstruction: In the event that a pulled shoe results in damage to the hoof, NC-manufactured Equicast can be molded to the foot and serve as the hoof wall. This product is also a wonderful solution for horses with laminitis as a pain-free alternative to nails. If you use this product, you will absolutely need to keep hooves dry!

10) Every day: Clean and inspect hooves. Sponge rather than hose and avoid soaking the feet. Vary your riding terrain – pounding around in a hard, dry ring; cantering in tall grass; or sliding about in the mud every day could mean yet another a call to your long suffering farrier…

Rebecca Blikslager is a registered nurse; USDF Bronze and Silver medalist; and “L” graduate. Blikslager has been horse owner for over 35 years. She and her husband, Dr. Anthony Blikslager, own and operate Windcroft Farm in Apex, NC. Email Windcroftfarm@mindspring.com

The following response came from Martha Ziglar of Summerfield:

Rebecca, you were dead on with your 10 strategies for keeping your horse’s feet shod and healthy. For 2 years I have struggled with keeping shoes on and keeping my horse in the pasture 24/7. Equicast was a life saver. My horse wore the wrap for 2 years to help his feet grow out and get strong. However, they never seem to get strong enough to hold a shoe. My instructor recently had the opportunity to see my horse’s feet without the Equicast and immediately recognized the shelly appearance as bacteria that has been destroying the hoof wall. I researched the internet and found several very good products for killing bacteria. The most effective is anything with Copper Sulfate in it. Farrier’s Barrier is the best found so far.

Please let the readers know that this could also be the source of horse’s hooves not strong enough to hold a shoe. My horse is wrap free and holding a shoe fine since I started treating the bacteria. And yes, he will also wear bell boots. Thank you!