Whether you are a novice or seasoned veteran, consider these thoughts about welding out of your shoeing truck or trailer

With today’s creative, organized and larger designs of shoeing trucks and trailers, farriers can carry the necessary equipment to tackle almost any shoeing demand that a hoof can present. And although it is easy to take your welding set-up on the road with you, there are several factors to consider before adding one to your shoeing vehicle.

Setting Up Your Shoeing Rig

Today, the limitations created by the size of welders in a truck have largely disappeared. Having designed shoeing trucks and trailers for 15 years, Stone Well Bodies and Equipment in Genoa, N.Y., knows a few things about outfitting a rig for welding. Adding a welder to your new or existing shoeing vehicle is as easy as installing a new grinder or drill press.

“In fact, it is even easier because you can store it out of the way,” says Stone Well president Brent Chidsey. “All you need is access to the leads.” He believes the only limitation may be hardware to hold the welding equipment, but that can be resolved with help from Stone Well or other truck outfitters.

Chidsey tells clients to consider two things before outfitting or updating your shoeing rig for welding. First, think about what kind of welding you do — or will do. “Whether it is welding toe clips for a gaited horse or welding in a bar for a shoe, consider the…