Has anyone ever forged a set of hoof testers? I was wanting to attemt a pair, but wanted to see if anyone more experienced than I (which is probably most of you) had ever made a set, and if so is it worth the effort? Also if anyone has any ideas on how to do them.

Howdy,

I have never seen a pair or witnessed it done, but I have heard and read about cutting the jaws off of old nippers/pullers and then forging/welding round stock to form the tester ends.

I use a pair of pre-made GE Hoof Testers. Small Size.

Trevor

Thanks for that, yeah I need to invest in a set. When I first started I was on a budget, and that is a tool that never made its way into my box, but really needs to be. Was going to buy a set, but thought it might be good metal working practice to try and make a pair.

They have many entry level sets that achieve the same results as the more expensive ones. I believe Bloom Forge and W-Brand make some respectable models.

I don't use mine a lot. They are a secondary tool that only come out once in a while. I don't carry them in my box all day, every day.

EDSS makes a stainless steel adjustable version that is very nice as well. http://www.hopeforsoundness.com/edss/store/tool-sup.html

Trevor

Funny as it may sound when I first started I used an oil filter wrench, the kind that look sort of like hoof testers, never pulled them out to use them, would have gotten funny looks I am sure. Don't know if they would work the same, but I barely had enough for the basics when I started. Used a small cabinet making hammer for a driving hammer, and I still carry it as a back up just in case. It rang of nails better than any driving hammer I have used. Anyhow thanks for the link I am going to check it out, and get me some sort of pair.

DoubleCFarrierService in gray

Has anyone ever forged a set of hoof testers? I was wanting to attemt a pair, but wanted to see if anyone more experienced than I (which is probably most of you) had ever made a set, and if so is it worth the effort? Also if anyone has any ideas on how to do them.

If you want to build a set of good, serviceable, hoof testers, go to a hock shop or used tool emporium and buy yourself a big pair of channel lock pliers. Forge a couple of hooks out of round tool steel (old car spring), weld your hooks around the channel lock's jaws, and - Voila! Adjustable hoof testers!

They're not pretty, but their adjustability makes them handier and easier to use than more "traditionally" shaped testers like GEs - plus, they're a helluva lot cheaper.

Tom, are you mad at me? Because you haven't been around~ I kind of like you even though you always complain about my heritage~ Or are you playing hard to get? I feel that you are the smartest guy on the board.So if i'm the cause of you not showing up,everybody is going to blame me! I will never say anything negitive about your comments ever,except when things get outragious?

I made a pair from half inch round stock mild steel and quench hardened them. they have been quite servisable for sixteen years now. just look at a pair of tongs and a picture of hoof testers and hit the hot metal till they work.

JPT,
Yah that's it, you've been scaring Tom off. Now stop it.

anonymous, posting as Just passin through, in gray

Tom, are you mad at me? Because you haven't been around~ I kind of like you even though you always complain about my heritage~

What "heritage?" Folks who post anonymously have no discernable "heritage."

Or are you playing hard to get?

I'm still hard to get under a horse: I'm retired now, I was always lazy.

I feel that you are the smartest guy on the board. So if i'm the cause of you not showing up,everybody is going to blame me!

The US economy is in the dumps; "none of the above" seems like the most reasonable choice in the upcoming election, and folks are turning horses loose on the roadside because they can't afford to feed 'em. Please don't feel slighted, but your fantasies are not real high up on my list of stuff of concerns.

I will never say anything negitive about your comments ever,except when things get outragious?

Please feel free to criticize anything I write, whenever it pleases you to do so. I take personal responsibility for what I write, I don't post anything I can't defend, and, while it ain't sporting, it sometimes amuses me to squash an intellectual bug.

I have forged a set of hoof testers. It was one of the things we had to do when I attended a farrier course here. I ended giving them to a vet friend one day as he was needing a pair. If I get a chance I will take a pic of them and post it. We started with a piece of 25 x 8 drew it out. They had a gig we then shaped the jaws in. They were a very good serviceable pair.

DoubleCFarrierService wrote:

No it's not worth the effort. I have a pair of testers no doubt made in Afghanistan, I remember it said so on the lable when I bought them almost 30 years ago. The equivalent of $10.00 and still use them on a daily basis........


Ronald Aalders

Tom Stovall, CJF wrote:

Tom,they are dumping horses here as well as your neck of the woods,but here they are just dumping skates",not like where you live dumping foundiation bred stock. I sent "Tyler Magness" the letter about sliding shoes
on the back of a heel horse,and i got his responce,Would it bother you if i posted it openly,or would you rather give your ok first?

Secondly,It wouldn't make any difference what my name is,i could call myself anything and you would know who it was? Maybe? And for your information somebody Famous thinks my work is good and doesn't care who i am? And! Just so that you know,i have never been tested by the AFA,it would be nothing for me to pass their test,and earning the buckle wouldn't mean anything either.It only means something if the guy that passes it,had his doubts to begin with.So becarefull what you say to me,because i have feelings just like you......................Well not exactly like yours.......

Ronald Aalders wrote:
Ron,But could you do it if you had to?

Anonymous, posting as "Just passin through" in gray

Tom,they are dumping horses here as well as your neck of the woods,but here they are just dumping skates",not like where you live dumping foundiation bred stock.

Geldings past their prime are a dime a dozen here in Texas. For example, Wooden Phone, G1 winner of $870,000 was donated to a horse rescue place here in Texas, as have been countless others. Low rent foundation bloodstock is as common as white on rice around here - and about as cheap.

I sent "Tyler Magness" the letter about sliding shoes on the back of a heel horse,and i got his responce,

Did you sign the letter?

Would it bother you if i posted it openly,or would you rather give your ok first?

Why would I care? It worked - and I'm a big fan of stuff that works.

Secondly,It wouldn't make any difference what my name is,i could call myself anything and you would know who it was? Maybe?

Perhaps naively, I assume folks' veracity. I'll be willing to make an exception in your case.

And for your information somebody Famous thinks my work is good and doesn't care who i am?

How nice for you.

And! Just so that you know,i have never been tested by the AFA,it would be nothing for me to pass their test,and earning the buckle wouldn't mean anything either.

Talk's cheap, especially when one is posting anonymously. Pass the CJF test first, then get back to me about how easy it was. Quite frankly, I could probably still pass the written portion today, but I would have no hope of passing the practical.

It only means something if the guy that passes it,had his doubts to begin with.

LMAO! If you ever pass it, it'll mean something to you.

So becarefull what you say to me,because i have feelings just like you.

Unlike me, you hide behind a nom de plume, which is certainly your right. However, I believe posting anonymously is a particularly cowardly and loathsome act when one criticizes another's work: Do you know anyone so contemptibe they'd stoop that low?

Well not exactly like yours..

No, not exactly. Right or wrong, I take personal responsibility for what I write - and you don't.

Tom Stovall, CJF wrote:
Tom,when it comes to critisizing i can't help myself.Have you ever in your natural life took over a barn of 25 horses or so,and walked into a graveytrain?
The best i have ever seen was horses with good conformation shod fairly well,and all the rest were butchered or close to it.that is the only reason i critique things.Why do you think different farriers are called? Because the old one moved away? Don't get hatefull.............