When you buy a new pair of boots, they may need a little “breaking in” before they’ll fit comfortably. Travis Koons, the certified journeyman farrier from Romoland, Calif., finds the same thing is true of most keg shoes. He breaks in the shoes before he nails them on, paying particular attention to the heels and the toes.

Modifying Inside Edges

With keg shoes, Koons constantly hammers down the inside edge of the shoe. He finds many keg shoes tend to swell when heated in a forge.

“The heels on many keg shoes are rough and rounded and the shoes are usually a manufacturing compromise as to what a horse may actually need,” he says. “I place a clean edge on the heels by just knocking off the inside edge with a hammer or a grinder.”

Rocker Toes

When forged properly, Koons believes a rocker toe should make a 90-degree angle with the hoof’s horn tubules.

“Not all horses need rocker toes, but I rocker most of the toes,” he says. “I like one that is equal to half the width of the shoe stock. The actual amount depends on the needed amount of breakover, but I may…