When attending clinics or seminars on shoeing show horses, probably the most asked questions are, “How do you figure out steel?” and “How do you fit shoes for a particular build-up on a particular horse?” 

Hall of Fame farrier Randy Luikart writes, “The rule-of-thumb answer normally given is that for every inch of build-up, you stick out an inch of shoe. This misconception is taught by many, making the farrier profession ‘that’s-enough-to-get-by-on’ occupation rather than an art based on accurate science.”

With just some simple geometry, guesswork can be replaced with scientific accuracy, greatly increasing the value of your work.

“The package (build-up) to be made for the horse should be a continuation of the slope of the hoof from the toe around to the heels. As the slope changes, so does the package, so that a symmetrical shape is the end result,” he writes. “Rules of thumb are not adequate for today’s science.”

To learn more about using mathematics in creating a build up for show horses, read the in depth article “Build Up Show Horses with Skilled Craftsmanship” in the May/June 2026 issue of American Farriers Journal.