st.croix/mustad continental

[the horseman]

does anyone out there use these and what are your likes and dislikes about this shoe. also do you think it would work good cutting/team penning horses.
thanks for any replies
Coan

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi Horseman,

Are you the real one? I'm impressed!

Anyway on cutters usually I put on rimshoes (I'm talking past tense here) Some US made but I never liked the nailholes in those. You always need to backpunch them and if you feel like using 8 nails on a foot like I used to do, you'll end up somewhere in a heel or so nailing the last one.

What I liked much better were the Kerckhaert rimshoes, PB they call them. But they changed something in their barstock sizing and the shape of the rim itself too and ended up with what I think is a hopeless shoe! So I started shoeing cutters with plain steel shoes, block the toe, taper it and you're all set. On the hinds I started using the same regular steel shoe (usually SX 7) sometimes I'd add one or two trailers if the horse is a little weak hocked.

This kind of straight forward shoeing usually works just fine on a no problem cutter. I even shod a world champion like this!

I added a picture, the burning of the frog is a way how ages ago shoers tried to get the frog back into shape when it was really bad from trush. I did it here to help me explain to students that also in the the year 17somewhat shoers did a lot of thinking too about horses and horseshoeing. (No readily available desinfectants in those days, to name just one difference!)



Ronald Aalders

[Jason Maki]

I do not know the Mustad shoe, but if you are looking for a great concave rim, call Farriers Depot in Ocalla and order some Pegasaus concave. I have been using them on about everything. They are really nice, come in front and hind and if you want them clipped, the clips are not oversized, in the web and very usable! I use the Mustad E4 slim in the normal sizes, the MX50 in the little ones and the E5 slim in the big ones. Give them a try, more people need to buy them so they will keep them coming across the Pond!
Jason

[John Trammell]

Ronald,
In your post you mention tapering the shoe,can you elaborate on that?
I live near Weatherford,Tx. and am shoeing a few cutters now.There is not much on here about cutters. Also,do you square the hind toe often?
Thank you,
John (my first post)

[J.H. shoeing]

Hey Ronald,

I like the rims on the front of the cutters. I just punch extra holes in them. Usually one in front of the toe nail and in between the rest, That way I could drive eight in a shoe if I wanted. I usually only drive six and drive little nails. I did not need the extra holes much but it was an easy fix for my customers that required "all the nail holes filled up". It was easier to punch extra holes than to argue about driving nails past the widest point of the foot. Gotta luv those Cutters.

Jeff

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi John,

What I call tapering the toe is nothing more then forging the toe out a little creating what is I believe called a rocker toe. I added a picture. Its simple to do when the shoe is hot. It widens the toe area of the shoe a little and protects the foot a little more especially when the square toe leaves a lot of toe hanging over.

On the hind I always "block" the toe. Never underestimate the forces that are in play when a horse has to turn on one hock to catch a cow.... It saves backs and hocks to allow proper breakover on a hind too.


Ronald Aalders

[John Trammell]

Thanks Ronald,
I appreciate your efforts and explanation.Are there any good reference material or web sites for shoeing cutters?
Thanks John

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi John,

I don't know if there's anything written about shoeing cutters. Probably there is but I can't help you there.

I would encourage you to not make anything more of shoeing cutters then you should. Cutters are probably the only QH's that don't need funny shoes to get them to show well.

The fact that owners sometimes pay big time money for a good cutter does not mean your shoeing should be any different from basic just because of that. But then again that really goes for all horses...........


Ronald Aalders

[Donnie Walker]

John - I agree with Ronald. I shoe alot of cutters, and unless something unusual occurs that dictates a special shoe, I stick to the basics. Of course, as you well know, the trainers all have their individual quirks that you will have to work through. Conformational deformities are our greatest enemies, especially in the Smart Little Lena lines, but m/l and a/p balance is still the key. I don't know of any literature or other educational literature available except from a web site in California under a trainer by the name of Larry Trocha.

[Gary Hill]

Shoeing cutters is a no brainer, balance, a short toe in front(not stood up) and on the hinds alittle lateral support. The problem with cutters is the trainers, none of them can agree with you no matter what ya do! I have shod a few world champions and still argue with them dang trainers! Gary

[John Trammell]

Thanks guys,
You have confirmed what Ithought all along.Having listened to some of the trainers,Ithink they may read a little more into it than they need to.
Thanks John

[Donnie Walker]

John - if you don't mind, give me a call on my cell, 830.688.1644. We are in the same circuit and I have some more info for you.