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 a consequence of domestication. Horse hooves would grind down to their feet on the roads and trails we’ve created. Hard packed dirt, concrete and asphalt aren’t what horses are supposed to walk on all day every day. They are supposed to walk on soft dirt, Grass and leaves. It means their hooves take less damage.