Grinding Vettec - hazzards?

[Lefty's Anvil]

Hello

This is my first post on this forum, though I've been reading for months and enjoying most of the threads.........what a great resource!!

I use Vettec products for various horses in need, with varying degrees of success.

My question to the group is: "Do any of you use a grinder to smooth off hoof walls that have been built up with superfast-Foal extension [my favorite for repairs on toe and quarter cracks] and had any concerns about the dust that could cause coughing,...yada yada yada? [Not the horse]

LA

[Mike Ferrara]

I haven't used a grinder on super fast and I'm not a doctor (not even on TV) but...dust, in general, is bad. Dust from various woods, metals, plastics and other stuff can all be bad.

As I understand it, the size of the particles has as much, or more, to do with it than anything else.

I guess it sounds like a no-brainer but I think it's best not to breath it.

[Donnie Walker]

I've always use a grinder w/24 grit disc. on all repairs. I make sure my fans are placed in a manner to blow the dust away, as in hot shoeing. Never have experienced a problem.

[Lefty's Anvil]

I have a large barn fan; 3' on wheels, that I use in the summer months, & for hot fiittng anytime. This works fine for removing smoke from the foot/shoe/face area, because I'm always facing the fan when over the foot. But with foot forward finishing, the horses's butt [and mine] plus the apron acting like 'flaps down' on a landing, I think I was inhaling more than I care to know, even though it's natural to hold your breath and turn your head away to breath.

What brought about my question and concern here was flu like symtoms, a nagging cough and sore lungs, the day after grinding a repair smooth on a rather large foot, which created a lot of dust - much finer than shavings from a rasp, and obviously airborn from the spinning grinder disc.

The fan wasn't doing enough to blow the dust outside away from me or the horse, so I had powder residue on hands, wrists, and probably my face.
I suspect that the odd oder was from the curing or freshly cured acylic.

This is not a slam on Vettec I love their products- I imagine all brands are similar in chemical composition, and should be handled with care.

Anyway I'll definetly wear a mask/gloves & cover up the next time I need or choose to use a grinder on these products. {{Smokeless tobaco users will have to choose their poison}} :rolleyes:


Back to lurkdom.

L A