Mule Shoes, How to Extend the Life, Durability, and Traction on Your Mule and Horse Shoes

Horse and mule shoes can wear out pretty quick. Usually you get one shoeing's use from a single set of shoes. I found a way to improve traction and at the same time increase the life of your shoes. I install carbide pins in my shoes. This enables me most of the time to get two shoeing's out of a set of shoes. I drill holes and pound the carbide pins in. They are very hard and I can reuse them up to four to six times. They work great in ice, snow, and rocky trails.

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

That was very cool! I really like the thought process behind that! Thank you for sharing my friend!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Video Dave. I think those pins are carbide? I bought some Ice Calks from A-Z years ago that were the steel, the size of a dime, and had a carbide pin like that for the core. They looked kind of like bolts. You were supposed to drill and tap your shoes, but I cut the threaded part off and welded them on. I was able to get two hunting seasons out of those shoes.....but you don't want them to step on your foot! I have a toe that still ain't right and that was at least 15 years ago!

[@chippyhacky]

I suppose I could put an extra mat down in the horse trailer, what do you think? I’ve got a werm floor and think a 6 hr trailer ride would do some damage….

[@idahomountainbuilt]

I have never used a werm floor, my matts are all rubber and i have little to no damage. The pins dont stick out of the shoe very far. When brand new they can have a very slight point but you can get them without those too.

[@chippyhacky]

Do u put them on young horses? Heard before not to use them on young horses….

[@idahomountainbuilt]

Not sure about why that would be, if your stock gets along and there’s no jockeying for status or pecking order I wouldn’t know why not. Most of my stock are middle aged and past the teenager age.