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It might start with a slight clicking noise or a change in your horse’s gait, or it could be obvious when you pick his foot up to clean the hoof. A loose, bent, or “sprung” shoe can show up toward the end of a shoeing cycle, or the shoe can get caught on something as your horse gets off a trailer or walks through a rocky area. For whatever reason, if the shoe is no longer attached solidly to your horse’s hoof, or if it’s not sitting perfectly flat and straight, it should be removed to keep the horse from losing it completely and probably tearing off a chunk of hoof in the process.

If you’re at home and the shoe is loose but not badly bent, all you have to do is contact your farrier and ask him to visit in the next day or two and reset the shoe. Don’t ride or turn your horse out in a large area while you’re waiting for the farrier to come.

The situation is a little different if the shoe has been deformed or is quite loose and you’re far from home. Larger shows usually have a farrier on the site to take care of emergencies, but if you’re traveling, at a smaller show, or in the middle of a long trail ride, you might have to remove the shoe yourself.

What you can do before this happens: Get a set of tools (clinch cutter, hammer, shoe puller) used in removing a shoe and take them along when you travel. Ask your farrier where you can get these tools.  Learn how to remove a shoe; your farrier is also good resource for this knowledge. Carry a protective hoof boot on travels and trail rides.

What to do in the moment: Tie your horse or have someone hold him. With the horse’s hoof on the ground, set the edge of the clinch cutter against the clinch (bent-over end of the nail that emerges from the outside of the hoof wall) and tap with the hammer to straighten the bent part. You can also use a metal file to rasp away the bent-over end. Practicing at home is a good idea! After the clinches are straightened or removed, pick up the horse’s hoof and hold it between your knees with your head toward his hind legs. Using the shoe puller, pull out as many nails as possible. Then take hold of one heel of the shoe by sliding the blades of the shoe puller between the shoe and the hoof. Tilt the handle toward the center of the hoof to start pulling the shoe off. Repeat on the other side of the shoe, alternating sides and moving the shoe puller closer to the toe as the shoe loosens. Remove remaining nails as they become loose. After the shoe is off, put a boot on the hoof to protect it and keep the horse balanced until you can get the shoe replaced.

What to do to avoid this problem in the future: You can’t totally prevent all thrown, loose, or bent shoes, but you can take steps to minimize the chance of having this problem. Be sure your horse receives all necessary nutrients for good hoof growth and structure. Most fortified grains contain everything the average horse needs for strong hooves, but some horses benefit from a hoof supplement that adds extra biotin and other specific nutrients. Follow a regular schedule of farrier care; most shoes need to be reset about every four to six weeks. Pick out the horse’s hooves at least once a day, checking to see that the shoes are still straight and tight. If you notice that a shoe is starting to loosen, or the hoof walls or heels are growing out around the shoes, call the farrier and schedule a trim and reset, even if it’s not yet time on the calendar.

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