BIGBIG Problem

[concernedhorseowner]

I live in a very small area, and we had only two farriers. Note, I said had. My old farrier recently moved. That leaves me, obviously, with only one option. The BIGBIG problem is that I REALLY don't want this farrier working on my horse. My horse is boarded at a good sized school, and two other boarders have already had this farrier out to trim their horses. Most of us go barefoot during the winter, such as the horses he recently trimmed. The ones of us who go barefoot have no problems after a short transition, and these particular horses were definately sound. After their trim, they all walked off sore. I think the problem may have been that he rasped into the sole. Now another part of the problem is that I can't simply ask him not to do that. None of us at the barn are professionals, so we didn't really want to question him, but eventually my friend finally asked if you were supposed to rasp into the sole like that... The farrier replied saying it was only the dead sole he was trimming away, and that it was our choice whether or not to let him do his job, or do it ourselves. Now he's right about us not being professionals, specially in my case since this is my first horse that I've only owned for about two years, but it looked like live sole to me. So I though about what he said, about doing the job myself. I LOVED my old farrier, he was very kind and took his time. Three times he even taught me what he was doing and let me try a bit, as he was happy that i was interested. I'm now researching and thinking about trying the trimming myself. Thank GOD the shoes were taken off before my farrier moved, because I definately wouldn't feel safe applying my own shoes. My horse has no hoof problems as far as i know, so I guess i'm asking for information on a basic trim. I have my own rasp for the times my old farrier decided to teach me (Not strong enough to use old slightly worn ones, took forever :p ) and I found a hoofknife at the barn.. So my questions are:

What other tools might i need?
What are the steps of a basic trim?
What risks are involved with me taking this on myself with no professional supervision?
Would any of you professionals consider moving to an old ****ty snow buried town in Canada?

To be safe, I'll take pictures of my horses feet tomorrow and ask for instructions, in case there's something important i need to do, and if any of you convince me that it's a horrible idea i may just get him to do the job, and use boots.

[Forgewizard]

concernedhorseowner,((green)

Sorry to hear of your troubles in your one farrier town. How close is the next town? If Canada is anything like the U.S most towns are within 10 to 15 miles of eachother (because that was the distance a horse could easily jog to town for supplies and still get home in the same day).

How difficult would it be to get a farrier from the next town to travel to you?

I have my own rasp for the times my old farrier decided to teach me (Not strong enough to use old slightly worn ones, took forever ) and I found a hoofknife at the barn.. So my questions are:

What other tools might i need? :

Knowledge of anatomy, locomotion, physiology of the hoof, movement of the horse, impact of environment, a strong back, good knees, tireless thighs, strong fingers and wrists, willingness to learn (not just the necessity), quality nippers - not a "found pair i the barn or flea market), a good rasp, rasp handle, properly sharpened knife - a right hand and a left hand knife make the job a LOT easier, some type of measuring tools - calipers, measuring tape, a level and gauge (using these when learning will help develope your eye), gloves, and apron, steel toed boots, a jackstand or hoof jack makes life under horses a lot easier for both horse AND hoof person, a level roomy, well lit place with concrete to work on, a toolbox to keep your tools off the ground and within easy reach, a patient, well-mannered horse to work on, a competent teacher or coach to learn from, preferrably a farrier school or actual working farrier (who's work you agree with).

What are the steps of a basic trim?:

In my book there is no such thing as a basic trim. There is either a well done trim - or a poorly done trim.

What risks are involved with me taking this on myself with no professional supervision?

You can lame or cripple your horse. Your horse can lame, cripple or kill you. If there is no lameness or damage evident immediately after the trim - if the hooves are trimmed in an unbalanced manner, problems can take months or years to show up and by then it is almost always too late to reverse the effects.

Would any of you professionals consider moving to an old ****ty snow buried town in Canada?

Sorry, not THIS particular farrier! I really really really like sunny Florida! The occassional hurricane is NOTHING compared to frostbite and months and months of grey, dismal freezing cold!

Please do NOT take on trimming your own horse until you have done LOTS of research and asked LOTS of questions or at least spent LOTS of time riding with another farrier if there is no farrier school nearby.

Check your approach to the farrier woring on the horses feet at your barn. Reassure him that you are not questioning his methods, but let him know that the horse went tenderfooted after the last trim, ask him if he could try to leave more sole as an experiment t see if the horse stays more comfortable. Some farriers have pretty healthy egos - and need a little soothing or their feathers get ruffled!

Pictures always are good for review and suggestions!
Good Luck!
Kim

[concernedhorseowner]

WELL... Quite a bit more than I expected... Lets see... I've atleast got knowledge of anotomy, and locomotion.. Some physiology, movement of the horse, impact of environment.. I DON'T have a stong back, But I have good knees... I'm not so sure about tireless thighs... Definately not strong fingers and wrists.. But I definately have the willingness to learn.. I could buy quality nippers.. I have a rasp, and I found it easier to work without a handle.. I have none of those mesauring tools, but I could buy them... Have gloves, have old chaps that could maybe serve as an apron? Have steel toed boots.. No jackstand though, but I have the work area.. And a toolbox.. My horse is VERY patient and well mannered :) as for a farrier school, I'd have to travel pretty far and I don't know if i can.. I did have my old farrier, but I bet there's a lot more to it than what he taught me..

Another farrier from a near by town doesn't exist.. Actually, the new farrier is outside town..

I'm sure I could try and approach the farrier in a non-ego threatoning way, but I WONT let him touch my horses hoof unless he agrees with me.. And I'd still like to learn all i can as a backup.. But I know soon I'll have no choice but to use him, because we use shoes in the summer.

Didn't get out to the barn today to take pictures, I'll get them tomorrow.

Thanks for the lengthy list, although I wish you'd tell me you just take out your rasp and there's no risk, but obviously enough that wouldn't be the truth :p

Surely one of you like the pretty white fluffy snow? Makes hot chocolate taste better than you'd think.. And I'll make you some every time! And often the blizzards result in the next day being a snow day, no school for me!instead I break my back shoveling :mad: oh well, I guess it's why we have a cheap living cost

[Gary_Miller]

I have a rasp, and I found it easier to work without a handle..
Do yourself a big favor and buy a handle and put it on your rasp. If you don't want to do that then have the tang cut off. This is for your safety the last thing you want is to have the tang ran into you wrist. It has happend and is not pretty.

Gary

[concernedhorseowner]

Never thought of that.. Suppose you could end up hurting the horse too...

Ok, so I'll also buy a handle

[Kaydence]

Never thought of that.. Suppose you could end up hurting the horse too...

Ok, so I'll also buy a handle

Try holding a number of different rasp handles when you buy them (or be as impractical as me and buy a bunch of them :) ) just to see which one feels best. Personally, I find the short, rounded wood ones fit my hand best. I have a client who is out of town so I ask her to touch up some things between visits (because I'm not driving 3 hours one way just to touch up one of her horses.) and after lending her both, I bought her the shorter one as she prefered it too. Just my quirk but I hate the feel of the plastic ones.

btw, I sent you a pm. I grew up in Northern Ontario and apprentised in Burlington area so I might be able to track down a name of another farrier for you if you let me know where you are located.

Is Seneca College still offering their farrier schooling? I think Humber (sp?) is the other one in Ontario.

And you have no idea how much I miss that fluffy white stuff. As I slogged through the mud with one of my horses today, I was wishing I could click my heels and be back home. The hotchocolate is always a bonus though. :)

Cheri

[belhaven]

What I have-

SavEdge Rasp with big blue handle
Left and Right Hnad Knife-spare no expense on your knife
Hoof Jack hoof stand
Farrier chaps
Rubber palmed Gloves (Walmart has them)
Knife sharpener

I have different gauges and such that I have tried but never really use them now.

I am not a big strong girl by any means and I will say the first few times I trimmed I thought I would die-and I am sure my horse felt the same way-it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R. It does take its toll on my back as well...some times more than others. But all in all I enjoy caring for my horses feet.

I honestly have NO idea how professionals do this all day long-I respect the heck out of that!

I have all kinds of books and videos on different barefoot trims and have poured over every site I could find.

But allllll of this was to "supplement" my education-I learned from a professional trimmer and she watched my back for months before I was turned loose on my own.

I have heard about people trying to learn from the book, etc and have done fine-I personally could not have the nerve to do that.

I have only been trimming for 2 1/2 years and still have a "source" of professionals that I call on with questions-or to email photos to help me.

If you want to learn some more about trimming the following sites have good information:

http://www.hopeforsoundness.com
http://www.barefoothorse.com
http://www.ironfreehoof.com
http://www.hoofrehab.com

There are photos and such to get you eye used to seeing a balanced foot...but again I personally would never try it without someone on site helping me.

[calshoer]

In my opinion ,of the listed sites you will get the most conservative, scientific, *safe* information on barefoot trimming at hopeforsoundness.com. (or at NBHoofcare.com its the same site)
And they have a great barefoot trimming video available.
The other sites contain some information I would consider unscientific and thereby potentially dangerous to your horse.
Patty

[belhaven]

Actually Gene's NB trimming video is really outstanding...I couldn't agree with Calshoer more on this one.

[concernedhorseowner]

Got the pictures.. 14 of them, so I don't particulary want to take the time to upload them, but i have an email made up for anybody who'd like to see them and help me out... just pm or post if you'd like to see (include your email :P)

[sebocats]

I live in Alaska and own two horses, a draft and a adraft cross, and I am about 3 hours away from the nearest farrier. I have tried several farriers, but cannot get anyone to come to me. The farriers in the closest towns are so busy, that to see them, I have to trailer my horses. Trust me, with these icy, windy, and cold roads, trailering a horse or two is hazardous stuff.

I feel like I am at a loss, and so I am learning to trim myself as well. I have my tools (quality diamond nippers and hoofknife and sharpeners from star-ridge and a set of heavy bud nippers as well as a good diamond rasp with handle apoxied on tight, leather gloves, stand and apron), and was able to get someone out to pull shoes and give a trim about 3 or 4 weeks ago, but the person was a friend, not a farrier, and only did this as a favor as he is uncomfortable trimming other people's horses (and I was desperate). :(

Are there special considerations for drafts (2000 lbs plus)? Are there other good books I should consider? If I take a few photos of my guys' feet, is there anyone who would be interested in giving me a few pointers? I would like to stay barefoot if the horses tolerate it well. I am also willing to pick up more books and videos and possibly try to attend an out-of-state clinic if I can find one that runs less that a week or two.

[caballus]

Hi Sebo ... just emailed to you privately but thought I might also pipe in here to you, as well.

There are several really good resources on the web for trim information. They include:

http://www.barefoothorse.com
http://www.hopeforsoundness.com
http://www.barefoottrim.com
http://www.ironfreehoof.com

and from those you'll find links to others.

If you post photos here, I'm sure that there are a few who would be more than happy to comment and encourage you.

Also, email to me about other learning options that are easily available to you.

--Gwen

[Forgewizard]

Sebocats posted:

If I take a few photos of my guys' feet, is there anyone who would be interested in giving me a few pointers?
Definitely!