Some farriers think hot fitting is better because it melts the bottom edge of the freshly trimmed hoof, sealing it against moisture and harmful organisms. Many farriers use a combination of hot and cold shoeing techniques. If good horseshoeing principles are followed, both methods can yield excellent results. Shoe wear is a poor gauge of when to shoe your horse. Failing to keep a schedule with a competent farrier is a major cause of hoof problems.
Shoes protect the hooves and help maintain a healthy shape and balance.
But shoes also prevent hooves from wearing off as they grow. The hoof wall usually grows faster at the toe than at the heels and if the hoof is not trimmed on schedule, excess stress is placed on the foot. Even though shoes might last for 12 weeks, most feet need to be trimmed and re-balanced every 5 or 6 weeks. In addition, because the hoof is cone-shaped, it gets wider at the bottom as it grows longer. But the steel shoe nailed to the hoof remains the same size as when it was applied.