Shoeing is the core service of the profession. It encompasses removing the old shoe trimming the hoof fitting the new shoe and nailing it on — and it can be done as hot or cold shoeing.
§Removal and trimming
The old shoe is carefully removed without splitting the hoof wall. Then the hoof is trimmed so excess growth is removed, and the hoof gets correct balance and length. The trimming is crucial — even the best shoe sits poorly on an incorrectly trimmed hoof.
§Hot horseshoe
With warm horseshoeing the shoe is heated in the forge and adapted on the anvil so the shape fits precisely to the hoof. A brief contact of the warm shoe with the hoof shows where the shoe rests and helps with fine-tuning. Warm horseshoeing typically gives a very accurate fit.
§Cold fitting
With cold horseshoing the shoe is adapted without heating. It requires the ability to choose a shoe that fits well from the start and shape it cold on the anvil. Cold horseshoeing is used among other things where heating is not practically possible.
§Ice swimming
The nails are driven through the shoe and out through the hoof wall outside the white line. The nail tips are riveted down so the shoe stays put. Correct nail placement is crucial: hitting too far in can damage sensitive tissue and cause lameness.
§Inspection at the end
When the shoe sits, it's checked that it lies flat, the nails are riveted correctly, and the horse stands and moves well. A final assessment in motion catches any problems before the horse is sent back to work.