Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2017 | Page 263

Examples of the extent of hoof contact in polo-playing ponies
need for the use of studs means to be able to apply
them when needed and take them off when not.
All that is required is that a threaded hole should
be bored into the shoe, which only takes a few
minutes work before placing the shoe.
Many countries have forbidden horse-shoes with
fixed studs. Over here they are still manufactured
and used.
Horseshoe with fixed studs which
should NOT be used
The huge
demands
made
upon
the feet
of polo
ponies
Horses playing with studs/caulks
Generally, during periods of rest between active
seasons or during reproduction retirement,
shoeing is not necessary, but they must be trimmed
correctly and periodically. Only those that “need” it
must be shod. The criterion to determine when they
need to be shod is the same: if the foot is still in
pain due to the demands of the season; if there is
foot disease or injury, it may be convenient to keep
the horse shod.
Finally, I wish to highlight the idea of prevention
over healing, referred, in this case, to conformation
and injury problems in limbs and feet. Paring every
30 to 40 days; shoeing or not; following the simple
and important guidelines for leveling and centering
the base, all avoid a great amount of problems and
determine the animal’s ability to develop correctly
and to efficiently carry out its activity.
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