Think of them as fingernails! You trim fingernails all the time, much the same as the hooves, shaping and filing them.
Because the Chincoteague pony (which we all know now is really a horse, so why do they call them ponies!!) anyway, he doesn't wear shoes, as his breed is shoeless. He has never had a pair and he is ridden and even shown competitively.
We call him tiny as he has very dainty feet for a horse. :)
The Ferrier gave me a rasp to file his feet as he told me it was a waste of money to have them done. If he does do them, he charges 1/4 of the price. :) He is really an easy keep. I don't have to grain him, although I throw him a handful of grain just so he doesn't get FOMO.
It is pretty fascinating and it must be an intersting life, working with animals.