working horse on cement or concrete

Question
I've been working in a livestock yards for about 3 months now, backpenning cattle at a sale yard.  I have a 6 year old stock horse that I use.  When we first started I was using a regular shoe but now have switched to a borium shoe because of the strength and traction.  But now my gelding is starting to sour and we think it might be because there is no give in the borium shoes.  To go back to the regular shoes now that winter and icy conditions are upon us, is there anything else that I might do to help ease the pressure on the legs?  What about rubber or something that might ease the pain in the his legs?

Answer
HELLO PIXIE...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...


First of all you mentioned "pressure" on his legs and then "pain IN his legs" ???

I think ALL quality farriers have used borium a few times in their careers. Most don't anymore.

They will keep a shoe from wearing as fast, but the nail holes will enlarge after a reset or
two so the shoe would/will be worthless anyway. They will cause "shock" to the limbs, especially
young horses that are completely sound and then later start showing signs of stiffness or lite
lameness. Too many people request borium because they "think" they are saving money and re-using
the shoes more.
Rubber shoes are O.K. for big heavy horses or drafts that pull feed wagons because they move slower with less torque on the hoof walls. If hooves are wet the walls will many times far apart
with rubber shoes and there is always a slight movement with rubber, which can cause trouble with the walls. Where there is cow manure and water, you can have lousy hooves !?!

Shoes can be studded with punch-in studs or drilled in. They are very nice but add alittle expense to the shoeing bill.
Also...years ago I ran 2 different feedyards in panhandle of Oklahoma and Texas. Rough Winters
and wet Springs were a constant. I was forced to shoe all the company horses in both regions.
Regular keg shoes and I would use "Dura-trac nails" in the sloppy weather. ONLY 4 nails per shoe.
One at each toe and one at each heel. Fill in the rest with regular nails. They are also
called "ice-nails". NEVER fill in all the nail holes with these ice-nails for it will cause too much "grab" and sore legs !!

Pads can be used every-so-often but NOT on a regular basis for comfort. It will cause the hooves to become too soft and walls WILL deteriorate and shoes will be pulled and lost.

Also...only because I do care...many horses in stockyards,feedlots and salebarns are shod
by very "cheap shoeing". You get what you pay for %26 if you are doing it yourself, I hope you have the experience to help this horse  when and if he gets sore. Many good horses don't
last because of poor shoeing and become messed up from now on. Something to think about.
If you have another horse to use...you might alternate everyother day and see if that helps get
your horse to feeling better ?
Some horses just CAN'T take the daily-grind of everyday on "hard surfaces". No matter how
good or agreeable they might be .

The Best to You...
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.