horseÂ·shoe. n. 1. A flat U-shaped metal plate fitted and nailed to the bottom of a horse's hoof for protection. 2. A U-shaped object similar to a horseshoe. 3. horseshoes (used with a sing. verb) A game in which players toss horseshoes or horseshoe-shaped metal pieces at a stake so as to encircle it or come closer to it than the other players.
What is the 'Loan-To-Value Ratio - LTV Ratio'. The loan-to-value ratio (LTV ratio) is a lending risk assessment ratio that financial institutions and others lenders examine before approving a mortgage.
Typically, assessments with high LTV ratios are generally seen as higher risk and, therefore, if the mortgage is approved, the loan generally costs the borrower more to borrow. Additionally, a loan with a high LTV ratio may require the borrower to purchase mortgage insurance to offset the risk to the lender.