Steel lacks shock absorption that the natural hoof was meant to create. The rubber shoes are easier on the cartilage as an owner of a 26 year old horse having an arthritic horse stand on steel in wet mud is a great way to rip off a shoe and cause a lameness issue. Steel has outlived many horses and is used traditionally but it doesn’t make it better for every situation. Just easier to shape and probably to acquire by most farriers. When a horse rips horn short on the hoof nailing a steel shoe on doesn’t improve hoof growth it inhibits it.

Leather bottomed shoes were OK for running but now we use rubber/softer landing shoes (or go barefoot/use barefoot again) ie 'horses for courses' some want to go barefoot, others choose different shoes that help absorb better. Horses were best method of transport until the car.... carts were best to carry people until springs were invented to help absorb shock - do you want to travel in a bus or car without shock absorbers or with them? Why couldn't a 'cushioned' shoe for horses help their joints more than a metal one?

I say if the option is there why not. A hard landing for a better cushioned one