I have come up with 5 ways to keep this cost from escalating while giving the horse the best care possible. You can save yourself money and grief each year by learning to tell a good job of trimming and shoeing from a bad one.
Educational sources are numerous.
You have taken a good first step by reading this article on the Wide World Web. Also read those articles on hoof care and shoeing problems that the horse magazines are frequently running. Equestrian catalogs have many books which will give you the basic knowledge you need to assess the work done on your horse. Community colleges frequently offer one day workshops on trimming and shoeing your horse. You wouldn' t own a computer without learning a little about the care of them.