Posted by sheila on January 19, 2004 at 01:54:54:
In Reply to: Re: trimming a TWH posted by Gary on December 13, 2003 at 11:50:24:
: : : : I recently purchased a walking horse. My farrier is A QH guy. Is there any special way he should be trimming my new horse? I've heard leave the hoofs long and others so not to. Also heard they need a steeper angle to help promote the gait. Now I want to hear the right info from someone who actually works on walkers. I live in Florida and leave my horses unshod as we ride on sand mostly.
: : : Every Wed. I'm at a TWH barn that sells horses from all over and I see alot come in that the old owners say "A QH guy used to shoe them". Yes their feet do look too stood up, so the Trainer I work for likes a 4 to 4 1/2 toe in front angle matches the pasterns and a short 3 to 3 1/2 toe behind. Works with shod or barefoot horses. Some he wants longer in front and some longer behind. Depends on how they travel or gait. Good Luck! Gary
: : I have a question. Why would there be a difference in trimming or shoeing principles becuase of breed? Don't all breeds have variations in conformation, enviroment and hoof qaulity? Just wondering why people think horses have to be done a certain way based on the breed of the horse and not on the horse as an individual.
: : Phil
: Phil, I'll try to answer your question with what just happened to me yesterday. I received a phone call from a lady in New Orleans, La. who had bought a TWH from my clients here in E. Tex. She was all upset because she can't find a farrier that knows how TWH's move. The last guy she used at the barn she boards at, set her horse up like a QT. horse and now her horse will not gait at all. Of course she should have been there when the horse was shod but wasn't. Now she's in a panic, and begging me to get on a plane at her expense just to come down and fix her horse! I declined but offered to talk her through and to visit with the farrier at her barn. Her horse is nothing special but when his feet are correct he moves the way the breed is supposed to. Looking at the conformation of TWH's sometimes makes ya wonder how they move so smoothly. I always comment that they don't have bones, but are more like a shark all verterbre. But if ya trim too much toe off the front end they move really ugly. I'm just talking about being flat shod no buildups or even for that matter weighted shoes. I am far from expert on this breed BUT have learned from a GOOD TRAINER that rides and we talk about what he wants on each horse he rides! He is a real gem, as he is the only TRAINER I work for that takes that kind of interest instead of just ordering a certain way he wants it shod like other trainers do. I know I'm rambling but I hope this helps answer your question. Good Luck! Gary
Gary, Can you or anyone out there tell me how hoof length in the front vs the back affect the timing, break-over and ultimately the gait? My TWH seems always to be trimmed shorter in the front and the angle is the same front and back. Truthfully, I've never discussed the need to trim her differently because she is a gaited horse. Can you direct me to a resource with this kind of expertise now that you have my attention! Thanks, Sheila