I finally got a few minutes to explain a little about horse hooves and shoes. The wall of the hoof continuously grows, similar to our fingernails. It basic purpose is to protect the bottom of the hoof (see 1st diagram) and the internal structures of the hoof (see 2nd diagram) from damage caused by normal ambulation. Immediately inside the hoof are delicate laminae (see pic). If a horse doesn't naturally keep hooves worn down, they require regular trimming to keep the hoof in proper balance. When hooves are chronically overgrown, broken, split, cracked, diseased or improperly trimmed, the horse's hoof no longer functions at the proper balance or angle for the horse to distribute its weight on the hoof correctly. Over time, that hoof takes on a different shape because the heels become narrowed, the frog becomes contracted, the sole becomes tender, etc. The laminae become very congested due to improper blood flow, and become very painful. The other internal structures of the hoof become damaged as well. Over time, bone actually rotates and can even protrude through the bottom of the sole. The old saying "no hoof, no horse" is a golden rule.
Shoes can help prevent those problems from ever starting and help existing problems from becoming worse (as long as it hasn't gone on too long). Shoes are routinely used on most horses who are ridden or worked regularly simply because without shoes, their hooves would become overly worn. Shoes provide better traction on rough terrain. Shoes also provide better grip and traction for horses competing in running or performance events.
For the average pasture decoration horse, shoes aren't a necessity. However, proper regular hoof trims are a necessity for almost all horses, donkeys, and mules.
- My Father's Daughter
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