# Are racehorses shod differently for mud?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-racehorses-shod-differently-for-mud/685343>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 4, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-racehorses-shod-differently-for-mud/685343 "2014-04-04T14:42:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-racehorses-shod-differently-for-mud/685343/1 "2014-04-04T14:42:31Z")

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From the road yesterday, we saw the lights over the Hoosier Park race track, and we saw a big horse trailer with sulkies on top, heading in. I joked about “mudders” having an edge in this wet weather.

Then my wife asked if racehorses are shod especially for muddy conditions. I don’t know. Do you?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-racehorses-shod-differently-for-mud/685343/2 "2014-04-04T15:34:37Z")

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Partly answered here [Are racehorses shod? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=392385)

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**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-racehorses-shod-differently-for-mud/685343/3 "2014-04-04T16:05:59Z")

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Per: [Tully Runners](http://www.tullyrunners.com/articles/Mud_Racing.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> What can be done to help horses racing in the mud? … Some trainers use horse shoes known as mud caulks to help get extra grip (something akin to humans using longer spikes), although some tracks are banning their use