Horseshoes are designed to protect a horse's hoof from hard and uneven surfaces, like cobblestones, paved roads, rocky trails, etc, and to prevent excess wear when they are doing heavy labor. Weren't used before c.500 AD. Most racehorses don't have to deal with said surfaces these days, but universal shoeing is a cultural habit. Not all horses can go barefoot, either, since some horses have weaker hooves than others (name your own names here). Also requires more day-to-day awareness of hoof health.
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