A hoof grows like a fingernail — 6-10 mm per month. Without trimming and shoeing — deformity, lameness, pain.
Process
1) Remove old shoe (clinchers). 2) Trim overgrown hoof (hoof knife + rasp). 3) Level the sole. 4) Fit shoe — hot shoeing (heat shoe, apply to hoof — smoke, smell, but painless — hoof is like a nail). 5) Drive 6-8 nails. Nails exit through hoof wall, bent over. 6) Rasp smooth.
Tools
Hoof knife. Rasp. Clinchers. Hammer. Anvil (small, portable). Forge (for hot shoeing). Nails (special, curved).
Frequency
Every 6-8 weeks. Winter: shoes with studs (ice). Summer: regular or barefoot (soft ground).
Cost
$25-50 per horse. A farrier serves 100+ horses in a community. 3-4 horses daily. $75-200/day.