Tools and Maintenance

Hi, everyone hope all is well. I am new to these boards and trying to get started with just a part time shoeing/trimming job. (hopefully it will advance to a full time thing)

My question is, do any of you use stall jacks? Do you like them? (pros&cons) We used one in the basic shoeing class I took and man that thing looked like it was the ticket. Lightweight and got the job done too. Not to mention they cost less than an anvil.

I have been looking for a used one, watching Ebay but that is the only place I have seen a used one for sale and it went for nearly what I could buy a new one for. Any suggestions? Do any of you have a used one that you would be willing to sell?

I have only posted a couple questions on this board but got a good response so I figured this was a good place to start finding a stall jack or maybe to get information on why not to use one. I'm in and out on the computer so it will be a day or two before I see any responses, so if you don't hear from me immediately don't think I'm not answering or reading your posts. Thanks J

J,

The Farrier I apprenticed with used a stall jack quite often on minor things. Maybe if a horse lost a shoe we would go to the corral and put it or a new one on. Instead of unloading our rig with the anvil and what not. But------ Now that I run my own business I have yet to purchase one. I will someday I am sure. But for now, I think a anvil offers you much more when it comes to modifications and proficiency. That being said, maybe there are Farriers out there that are doing great with a stall jack. But I bet they also own an anvil. Let me know how your career unfolds. Or if I can be of help.

Gary

J,

Personally I would spend the money on the anvil. You are very limited with what you can do with a stall jack. I understand your concern about spending alot of money on good quality tools, however look at it this way, if you do decide you like the profession you are going to have to go out and buy the good quality tools any way, or if you don't like it, you are going to have a tougher time of reselling the poor quality tools you bought. Beleive me when I say that a cheap pair of nippers can make you hate the job.

Doyle

I make my own, I use 5/8 cold roll on one end I place a flat piece of steel and weld it down, on the other I use a piece of 3" pipe cut in half longways and about 4" long I weld it at an angle that is about 15 degrees above level, in the pipe I use "Ethafoam" and Vet tape to make it comfortable. This makes a good cradle for the hind foot and the horses really like it, I use it on Percherons, one for Quarterhorses, and one for Minatures-so far they all like the design! Works good for the back too!

After shoeing for almost 25 years. My opinion is forget the stall Jack save your money buy a forge and good anvil. When you get to size 2 or better you dont have enough weight and it will be hard to shape the bigger shoes cold. Even if you dont want to fit hot always shape hot your wrists, hands and elbows will thank you when you are old. It is a lot less wear and tear going tink tink than wham wham. And it gives you time away from the horse unless you are into absolute speed. Two ways for a shoer to go to hell. Beating cold steel and not chargeing what you are worth.