Posted by ann on February 17, 2004 at 15:40:54:
In Reply to: Re: is my horse wearing a too-small shoe? posted by Gary on September 26, 2003 at 18:28:53:
: : I have never posted here before and in fact only found this Web site today. But I have spent more than an hour reading others' posts because they are so interesting!
: : (Brief history: Bought horse last fall -- he had been shoeless for a year and didn't appear to have been trimmed regularly. The right front was and continues to be more compact and upright than the left, though it hasn't been deemed an official 'club' foot. Neither foot was symmetrical at purchase, but that has improved with a 6-week shoeing schedule.) So on to my question.
: : A few shoeings ago, I noticed that my farrier was leaving the toe of my horse's left front foot hanging over the edge of the shoe. The right is always flush with the shoe. The first time he did it, I thought it was an oversight and didn't say anything. But now that he's continually leaving the toe hanging over (probably by two nickels' width), my horse's feet are always way overgrowing the shoe by the fifth week. By that I mean the hoof wall has overshot the shoe just about all the way around and the support has thus been shifted to the sole. And I have to stop riding that last week before shoes because my horse is ouchy.
: : Could the shoes be too small to begin with? I seem to remember him taking no. 2's at first, and this morning I noticed he's wearing no. 1's. The shoe isn't trailing past the heel but just covering it. I'm wondering if the smaller foot now fits better in a no. 1 -- because of regular hoof care -- and so my farrier is trying to make the same size work for the other shoe, too. Though even the right foot overgrows its shoe a fair amount between visits.
: : My horse isn't due for his next shoeing until mid-October. I am trying to do research now so that I can ask my farrier educated questions about what's going on. When I have tossed out the casual "Why are his feet hanging out so far over his shoes?" at the beginning of past visits, the response is "It's time for new shoes." I haven't yet asked about the foot hanging over right after the job is done, because I don't want to come off as questioning my farrier's judgment. He's been my farrier for four years -- dependable, polite and a great guy -- and this never happened with my former horse.
: : Suggestions??? Thanks.
: Sounds like he's backing up the toe so your horse will breakover easier. BUT you can ask him and should ask if you have questions about anything going on with your horses feet! Good Luck! Gary
Yes, ask the farrier. Some folks are maybe not as good as explaining things as others, but I bet he can tell you. Just as a reference--you farrier is supposed to shoe based on where the white line is. It may be that one hoof wall is thicker than the other. The shoe would be centered in the correct place, but the hoof wall may be thicker on that foot causing it to look different. Just a thought....
ann