Why do horses need horse shoes?

Probably to reduce wear and tear on the hooves, since after humans enslaved them, they have been used on different, and often harder surfaces than they evolved on.

The hoof is a large toenail. It has to be trimmed regularly. That and the horseshoe keep it from splitting.

@Hawaii_Jake got it mainly. The hoof in modern horses is not tough enough to support lengthy strenuous use without having support. The metal horseshoes allow that metal to bear the burden of the stress without splitting the hoof and basically crippling the horse.

^I know they work. But I feel like there’s probably a better solution.
Shoes can definitely make a big difference. But. They can also cause, or conceal other problems.

The solution, to me, is we shouldn’t be riding horses.
I know, it’s romanticized and part of our history. But. Today, in 2024, if you are riding a “tamed” (usually spirit broken) animal, of ANY kind you’re just a Dick.

Let’s stop abusing horses…

And start eating them! Lotta meat, on a horse… We JUST need the right sauce.

@MrGrimm888 That answer took a really dark turn at the end, I wasn’t expecting it and made myself look crazy by lmao in line at the grocery store.

^M. Night Shyamalan, was my co-author…;)