Borium or other hardfacing materials are added to horseshoes in situations where extra traction is needed. The materials can also help prevent excessive shoe wear, but care in their application is required.

Borium-surfaced horseshoes are a popular choice for shoeing situations where the ultimate in traction and wear is needed. They are used to provide traction for horses on hard pavements or other slippery surfaces such as ice and snow. Borium is also highly wear resistant and adds dramatically to the life of the shoe.

Many farriers use the term Borium to refer to any and all types of tungsten carbide products that are welded or brazed to horseshoes to increase wear and traction. Actually, Borium is a brand name for one such particular product, which is made by the Stoody Division of Thermadyne Co.

The terms “tube rod” or “ ” are used to identify a specific type of the product that encases fine particles of tungsten carbide in a thin metal tube made mostly of steel. “Composite rod” or “composite” indicates a product that is composed of larger-sized particles of tungsten carbide that are bound together by a matrix sometimes called bronze, but actually a mixture of nickel, copper or brass.

Both types are available under several brand names, registered and owned by the companies who manufacture them. Some small shops also produce and sell their own varieties, often without brand names. Each type has its benefits, depending on the terrain the horse will normally encounter, and the…