Horseshoe production has developed to a high level of quality and variety that’s unparalleled since the 1900s. The many companies that have emerged in the last 35 years, as well as the ease of manufacturing and importing shoes from all over the world, have enabled farriers to have unprecedented choices in our modern age.

Even with all the manufactured shoes available, hand-forged horseshoes have also risen to high levels of quality and popularity, due to contests, clinics and the willingness of farriers to pursue this skill. The growth of the farrier industry has led to many companies competing for market share. Often, there are many good copies of a particular horseshoe type or style, as well as many specialty shoes aimed at the various niche markets. The only problem with all this is at times, farriers may have a difficult time deciding which shoe is the best option for the horses that they are working on. The finest manufactured shoe or the prettiest hand-forged shoe will not be much help to the horse wearing it, if it is the wrong type for the horse’s work.

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