why do horses need shoes? Is this a consequence of domestication? What about wild horses?

Question

I’ve never known any other animal apart from horses to need to be fitted with shoes. Why is this? And is this phenomenon strictly exclusive to domesticated horses? What about wild horses, then? If wild horses cope without them, why can’t domesticated horses?

In: 3395

Answer 1

It’s associated to working for humans.

Wild horses graze, travel, walk and occasionally run.
Human-bound horses have to work all day on specific surfaces, so mostly (not always) need something to protect them from the excessive wear, or lack thereof.
A bit like humans now need shoes, or need nail cutting. Same principle, different animal.