Many racehorses wear toe grabs metal ridges that project down from the front of the shoes to give them extra purchase for maximum acceleration and speed. Horses used in other disciplines in which quick acceleration is a must, such as polo, also might wear toe grabs. In snow and ice, those smooth metal horseshoes can become your horse s own set of skis with disastrous results. If Old Man Winter visits your climate, consider asking your farrier to add borium or another non-slip substance to the bottoms of your horse s shoes. Even if you have access to an indoor arena, borium might be a good idea if your horse gets turned out in the winter or if getting to the arena involves negotiating snowy or icy paths.
Pads Secured between hoof and shoe, pads serve a variety of therapeutic purposes.
At their simplest, pads protect soles and frogs against impact and bruising. Wedge or degree pads raise low or underrun heels. Pads can be made of leather, rubber, plastic, or other synthetic materials. Farriers usually pack the space between the pad and the hoof to prevent debris from entering. Like your athletic shoes, pads compress over time and therefore lose some of their shock-absorbing effectiveness.