IF THE SHOE FITS

Farrier removing the old shoe and cleaning the pad of the hoof.

This filly is being shod.  Most Amish families has one or two men who can shoe a horse.  This is a young person's job for the most part as it requires a lot of strength and backbreaking work. 

Buggy horses, or trotters need to be fitted for new shoes just about every month.  The pedicure requires cleaning out the pad, cutting away the nail and filing the hoof.  Dogs usually are around for this job because they enjoy chewing on the hoof  (It's not gross. You can find cow hooves at pet supply stores.)

The nails are driven into the hoof with just a bit of the head exposed for future removal.