It is simple to make horseshoeing difficult, but it’s difficult to make horseshoeing simple. Sometimes we have to step back and try to make it simple again. After all, there are plenty of obstacles when shoeing sport horses.

We as farriers need to have the mental surplus to examine our mistakes, rather than focus on our successes. Why? Because our mistakes are a positive learning tool. We need to be better. We need to step back and look at the whole horse and be able to recognize that we made a mistake and learn from it. Of course, I have to correct the mistake. It’s important to ask a colleague for help. Asking questions will help you move forward.

There are several daily obstacles when shoeing sport horses. Here are three crucial types — riders, trainers and footings.

Rider and Trainer Obstacles

We must assess the ride. The rider’s weight affects the horse. I have a client who is an endurance rider who became overweight. She…