I have some FFA members giving a presentation on the "History of Horse Power." They are covering the invention of horseshoes. All understandable information, but if working/military horses needed to be kept shod, how did Native Amercians keep their horses trimmed and hooves from being worn down without the use of shoes?

Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks,

Greg Schneider

There are not good written records kept by native Americans, but the theory that I adhere to is that they had enough animals to keep fresh horses under them. They also used them quite differently than the formal military and industrial horses. If you use a horse today in a manner that is similar to how the horse would live anyway, you could go without shoes. If, however, you need to use the horse in terrain that is not natural, feed the horse feed that is processed or gathered by people instead of the horse, and use only one horse for the work that perhaps several should do, you will find that you need shoes. Anytime wear exceeds growth, shoes are called for.