American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
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Maryland Farrier’s Toe Length Protocol Keeps Show Horses in Top Form
Tape measure, dividers and hoof protractor help maintain proper foot parameters
Pictured Above: At the end of a 7-week cycle, Harry Serio measures the toe from the ground surface to hairline. The toe of this 16.3-hand horse that shows hunter under saddle measures 3 ¾ inches before the trim. Photos: Harry Serio
Farrier Takeaways
- Leaving too much foot will result in compromised cadence and a shorter than normal shoeing cycle.
- Toe length can be determined by the horse’s height and body mass. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the ranges in toe length in relation to horse height are merely guides.
- Generally, the hind toes of the Quarter Horses that Harry Serio works on are 1/8 of an inch longer than front toes.
The most important tool of the farrier trade is the mind’s eye. Developing a highly trained eye is the key to consistently bringing horses’ feet to their proper parameters. There are three tools that, if used correctly, have the potential to not only speed up the development process, they can also confirm everything your eye is telling you, regardless of skill set.
After more than 4 decades of using dividers, the Ward & Story Hoof Protractor and a tape measure, my findings have been consistent. These tools…
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