How does a shoe make a horse more comfortable?

[Marv Walker <Marv@MarvWalker.com>]

>Could you help me understand what it is about a shoe (how it works) to
>make the horse more comfortable?

A shoe makes a horse more comfortable by allowing a shim of material
between the ground and its hoof structure.

The shim (shoe) bridges, to a degree, material that is harder than the hoof
and grants the horse more protection from chipped hooves and other serious
wear.  Without a shoe, the sole and frog must bear all the weight exerted on
the material with the high parts (stones) of the material applying more 
pressure
per square inch to the sole and frog and more likely to cause injury (stone
bruising).

Will shoes eliminate stone bruising or other injuries? No.  But they will 
lessen
the likelihood of it.

Marv "I *can* judge a book by its cover - nothing to it." Walker