Identify Problems Before Trimming And Shoeing A Horse

When seeing a horse for the first time, it’s critical to perform a thorough evaluation to identify problems before trimming and shoeing it.

“The owner might not be aware of it,” says Ted Shanks, a farrier in Kauai, Hawaii. “Before you shoe the horse, make sure they know that you’ve found problems such as stumbling, ossifications, contracted and underrun heels, etc. Identifying a problem might make you look good since no one else noticed it. It also raises the customer’s confidence that they chose a good farrier. If it becomes a problem after you shoe it, you might get credit for causing it.”

A Golf Ball Offers Comfort While Rasping

If you spend any time around Tab Pigg at various Vettec clinics, you might notice that the Azle, Texas, farrier uses an unconventional rasp handle — a golf ball.

“I got the idea from the late Kirk Caudle from Bay Town, Texas. We were going to a lot of forging contests back then and he had a golf ball on a half-round file. I picked it up and just liked the way it felt. What I like about it is the pushing hand is right at the end of the rasp, not 3 or 4 inches away from the end.”

Stay On A Hoof-Care Schedule That Maintains A Foot

In a webinar presented by SmartPak and American Farriers Journal titled, “The Four Cornerstones Of Hoof Health,” Danvers Child cautions other farriers to…