Why choose aluminium horseshoes ?
Introduction
The choice of horse shoes is an essential decision that impacts on their health, comfort and performance. Traditionally, steel shoes have dominated the market, but aluminium shoes are gaining in popularity thanks to their light weight, shock-absorbing properties and adaptability to modern equestrian disciplines.
In this article, find out why aluminium shoes, including those developed by ACR, are ideal for both sport and leisure horses.
The key advantages of aluminium horseshoes
1. Reduced Weight for Maximum Performance
Aluminium horseshoes are about twice as light as steel irons, which offers several major advantages:
- Reduced muscular fatigue: Less stress on the horse’s limbs.
- Improved locomotion: smoother stride and better recovery.
- Greater energy savings: A 129g aluminium horseshoe reduces carpal flexion compared with a 337g steel horseshoe.
2. Shock absorption and limb protection
Aluminium horseshoes offer superior shock absorption, which helps prevent injuries:
- Vibration absorption: Thanks to their structure and reduced density, they dissipate waves more quickly than steel horseshoes.
- Injury prevention: By limiting microtrauma, aluminium horseshoes reduce the risk of tendinopathy and osteoarticular lesions.
- High damping coefficient: Up to 2.05% compared with 0.02% for steel horseshoes.
3. Adaptability and Innovation
Aluminium horseshoes offer great design flexibility:
- Addition of viscoelastic plates: vibration absorption of up to 75%.
- Made-to-measure design: Lightweight, innovative profile, impossible with steel.
4. Sustainability for a Specific Use
Although less resistant on abrasive ground, aluminium horseshoes are ideal for modern equestrian disciplines. For intensive use, regular replacement is an investment in the horse’s health.
Viscoelastic plates can be added:
Why are aluminium horseshoes ideal for sport horses?
1. A High-Performance Solution
Ideal for racehorses and show-jumpers, they :
- Reduce pressure on tendons and joints.
- Reduce the impact of each landing or stride.
2. An asset for injury prevention
In demanding disciplines, they enable you to :
- Minimise ground reaction forces.
- Reduce the risk of bone bruising and arthropathy.
- Absorb impact forces and limit chronic injuries.
3. A versatile solution
Suitable for racing, leisure and endurance horses, aluminium shoes adapt to different needs. Their ability to improve locomotion while preserving foot health makes them a choice option. they improve locomotion while preserving foot health.
Conclusion: Aluminium Irons, a Sustainable Revolution
- Optimising horse performance.
- Preventing injuries and improving comfort.
- Meeting the requirements of modern equestrian disciplines.
