How to help prevent your horse from losing a shoe

Wet muddy ground is one of the worst aspects of caring for horses during winter. If its not dealing with filthy rugs and muddy legs then its the inevitable situation when your horse loses a shoe after spending time in a paddock that looks more like a battleground than turnout space.
Lost horseshoes arent just an expensive nuisance either. Horses can tear off part of their hoof at the same time the shoe is being pulled off and then theres the time spent finding that lost shoe which can be a serious hazard if not retrieved.

What can be done to prevent a horse losing a shoe?
Overreach boots
A correctlyfitted pair of the best overreach boots are a must according to farrier Paul Raw. Its not just about keeping the shoe on they also protect your horse from overreach injuries. I find the long rubber boots are best make sure they are big enough to drop down fully over the heel when the foot is in flight he advises.
Regular shoeing
Another must is regular shoeing on a schedule which takes account of both what the horse is doing and at what activity level. Most people assume horses should go six weeks between shoeings but if youre an endurance rider doing miles of training it is common sense shoes will need renewing more often. Make sure too that you tell your farrier what you are doing with your horse as the way the foot is dressed and the type of shoe used will alter accordingly