How I Check Archie’s Shoes Before Competition

A show preparation routine usually involves entries, gear, feed, travel plans and a hundred small jobs that are easy to forget. For me, Archie’s feet come near the top of that list. A slightly loose shoe or a hoof that has started to chip may not be obvious while he is standing in the stable, yet it can become a real problem once he is working over a full day of dressage, show jumping and cross-country.

I am not trying to replace Archie’s farrier or make a sudden change before an important event. My job is to notice changes early, keep his hooves clean and balanced between visits, and pass useful information on to the professionals who look after him. This routine has developed through ordinary training weeks, wet paddocks, hard arenas and plenty of early starts with the float packed before sunrise.

I start several days before the event

I prefer to inspect Archie’s shoes about a week before a competition, rather than waiting until the night before. That gives me time to arrange the farrier if something looks wrong and, just as importantly, time to see how Archie goes after any adjustment. A new shoeing job needs to settle into his normal work before I ask him to jump, gallop or turn tightly.

The first check is made on a clean, level surface. I watch him walk away from me, come back and turn in both directions. I look for a shorter step, an uneven landing, reluctance to turn or any change in the rhythm of his stride. Archie can be very good at carrying on when something is mildly uncomfortable, so his way of moving often tells me more than a quick glance at the shoe itself.

I also think about the ground we will meet at the venue. A grass cross-country course after rain has different demands from a dry sand arena, and a compacted warm-up area can feel very different from the footing at home. Australian competitions can involve a long float trip before the horse even reaches the first arena, so I want his feet comfortable before we leave the driveway.

I clean each hoof and inspect the shoe

Once Archie is safely tied up, I pick out every hoof carefully. I remove stones, packed sand and manure from the sole and frog, then brush away the loose dirt so I can see the wall. I check the heels, quarters and toe for cracks, flaring, chips or areas where the hoof has begun to grow over the shoe. The aim is to observe, not to rasp or alter the foot myself.

I run a hand around the outside of the shoe and look closely at the clenches and nail heads. A shoe that has shifted may show a wider gap at one side, a raised heel, a bent branch or a nail that no longer sits neatly in the hoof wall. I check whether the shoe is still centred and whether the heel ends remain in the right place. A small amount of normal wear is different from movement, distortion or a loose fit.

The sole and frog matter as well. Heat, a stronger digital pulse, an unusual smell or a sore reaction to cleaning can indicate a problem that needs prompt attention. If Archie flinches, snatches his foot away or feels uncomfortable standing on one leg, I stop treating it as a routine pre-show check and contact my farrier or veterinarian. A competition entry is never more important than a sound horse.

I compare all four feet

It is tempting to focus on the hoof that looks untidy, but I check all four feet and compare them with one another. Archie’s front feet do not have to look exactly like his hind feet, and a hind shoe may show a different pattern of wear because of his movement. What matters is whether the shape, balance and condition are consistent with his usual feet and with the way he is currently working.

I look at the hoof-pastern alignment from the side and at the landing surface from underneath. I notice whether one toe has become longer, whether one heel is wearing down faster or whether one shoe seems to be taking more pressure than the others. I do not diagnose balance from a single photograph or make decisions based on symmetry alone. My notes and photographs are there to help Archie’s farrier assess the change in context.

After cleaning, I take a quick picture of each hoof when the view is useful. It is surprisingly helpful to compare images from one shoeing cycle to the next, particularly when we are travelling between venues. At Werribee or SIEC, I may have a busy schedule and limited time to explain everything in detail, so having a clear record of what his feet looked like at home gives me a better conversation with the farrier.

I book the farrier with the show date in mind

Archie’s shoeing cycle has to fit around his work, but I also consider the competition calendar. I do not want the farrier arriving hours before we load the float unless there is an urgent issue. Ideally, he is shod several days before a major event, allowing time for a short schooling session and a quiet check afterwards.

The right timing depends on the horse, the shoeing method, the amount of hoof growth and the type of competition. A horse that is comfortable being shod may still need a few rides to feel completely natural after a trim and new shoes. If Archie is due for a routine reset close to a show, I talk through the timing rather than asking for a last-minute alteration simply because the date is approaching.

When I speak with the farrier, I describe what I have actually observed. I might mention a shoe that appears to have moved, a change in landing, a chip at the toe or tenderness after a particular training session. I avoid presenting a solution before the assessment. Farriers work with the whole horse, including conformation, workload, previous injuries, hoof quality and the ground Archie is expected to handle.

I make adjustments conservatively

Archie’s shoeing is not adjusted just to make the feet look tidy in a competition photograph. Any change needs a reason connected to comfort, balance, traction or protection. The farrier may recommend a different shoe, a small change to the trim, extra support or no change at all. Sometimes the best pre-show adjustment is simply replacing a shoe that has started to loosen.

I am especially careful with traction. Too little grip can make a horse insecure on grass or a damp slope, while too much traction can prevent the foot from releasing naturally and increase stress elsewhere. The right choice depends on the venue, the weather, the horse and the competition rules. Cross-country requirements also differ from those for a dressage arena, so I follow the farrier’s advice and check the event regulations before making plans.

Pads, studs and other additions are not emergency fixes for an uncertain horse. If Archie is likely to need studs, I prefer him to have experience using them in training and to have clean, serviceable stud holes prepared well before the show. I practise putting them in and removing them at home, because rushing with a muddy hoof beside a lorry is not when I want to learn.

I reassess after shoeing and during travel

After Archie has been shod, I keep his work sensible for the first session and pay attention to how he warms up. I watch his walk on a straight line, then assess him in the usual training environment. I am looking for a comfortable, even stride rather than trying to test every movement or jump immediately. If he feels different, I report it promptly instead of hoping he will simply adjust.

The trip itself can affect how the feet feel. On Australian roads, a journey to a show may involve long distances, heat and plenty of time standing in the float. A run from regional Victoria into Melbourne traffic is very different from a short trip to a nearby pony club ground. I make sure Archie has appropriate breaks, water and a clean, dry place to stand when possible, and I check his feet when we arrive.

At the venue, I avoid leaving him standing in deep mud or water for long periods. Wet conditions at a New South Wales or Victorian event can soften the hoof wall, while a dry spell can leave the ground hard and unforgiving. I pick out his feet after exercise and before loading, looking again for lodged stones, pulled shoes, bruising or a change in his way of going.

I keep the show-day kit practical

My shoeing kit is simple but complete. I carry a hoof pick with a brush, a small torch for poor light, spare towels, a stiff brush, a safe hoof-care product recommended for Archie and the tools needed for studs if they are part of the plan. I also pack the farrier’s contact details and a note of when Archie was last shod. The kit stays where I can reach it instead of disappearing under rugs and grooming bags.

Before the first class, I pick out all four feet and make sure there is no packed sand or stable bedding around the frog. I check that every shoe is still seated and that the nails and heels look as they did at home. After dressage, show jumping and cross-country, I repeat a shorter version of the inspection, paying particular attention to the feet that have worked hardest on the day.

I do not pull at a loose shoe, hammer a nail or rasp a hoof at the showgrounds. If Archie loses a shoe, becomes lame or shows heat and a strong pulse, I keep him quiet and seek qualified help. Event venues often have a farrier contact, and the organising office can usually direct competitors to the appropriate person. A calm decision is more useful than attempting a repair with unsuitable tools.

I review the feet after we get home

The check continues once the ribbons are packed away. When we return home, I pick out Archie’s feet after unloading and again the next morning. I look for bruising, cracks, loose clenches and soreness, and I watch him walk before turning him out or starting normal work. A horse may seem fine at the venue and become stiff after the excitement has settled.

I write down the dates of shoeing, the type of work Archie completed, the ground conditions and anything unusual I noticed. I record whether he used studs, how long he travelled and whether a shoe needed attention. These details help identify patterns over time. For example, a repeated problem after wet grass competitions may lead to a useful discussion about preparation, hoof protection or traction.

This routine has made shoeing feel less like a last-minute show task and more like part of Archie’s overall management. Clean feet, regular professional care, suitable timing and close observation give us the best chance of arriving at a competition comfortable and ready to work. The final decision always belongs with the farrier and veterinarian when there is a concern, while my role is to notice, record and act before a small change becomes a much larger setback.