What did horses do before farriers?

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I just saw a post where a horse was abandoned for a number of years and it’s front hooves looked like the bottom of a rocking chair. I’ve also heard over the years about how farriers are necessary to a horses health. Now obviously horses have been around longer than the folks who take care of their hooves, so what did they do before people?

Did they have to scrape them on rocks or did they just have to wear them down by running? Just curious. Thanks!

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6 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Horses in the wild are moving almost constantly, and across rough terrain. Their hooves get worn down naturally, and they grow continuously in order to restore what gets eroded down/damaged.

Domesticated horses, if kept in a small space for a long time, won’t be able to wear down their hooves and the hooves will grow long and cause pain/injury.

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