I have the pleasure of TRYing to trim 4 Belgian drafts that have NOT been trained to keep their feet up for me while i trim (been there,done that):,-( So..... the owner want's to get them in stocks for me to get the job done for once & for all.
I have never worked with stocks! So i have NO clue how to go about it & what to expect:-( I do know that Bruce on here specializes in training drafts for this reason, but i do not think i will have the extra time to learn in time for it.

So... what should i do?? Will the drafts understand the stock's & behave? Or is there a better option?
I suppose sadation is best, but i overheard that the owner want's to try the stocks first.
HELP...!

I would probably walk away from this one. Sounds like a recipe for someone getting hurt bad. If you don't understand how to use something completely then don't use it. Offer to assist them in finding a farrier more experienced with this type of work. That's just what I would do though. You can't make any money from the hospital. Be safe.

HOSSBOSS wrote:


Probably not. And that assumes they can even get them to load into the stocks.

As you noted, chemical restraint might be a better option, Smitty's harness works well, but if you don't particularly need the money or the aggravation of dealing with these horses, then I agree with OCSmitty's advise. And its advise I would more than likely follow in the same situation.

The advice already given to you is sound. The effort involved in getting these horses to enter stocks once (never mind repeatedly) is probably greater than the effort required to teach them to stand and give a leg. Stocks are not usually a shortcut to success and should only be used by someone well versed in their use, even then there is substantial risk of injury to horse and operatives. Here in the UK we are forced to belong (at considerable personal expense) to the Farriers Rogues and Cripplers who prohibit the use of this restraint without a vet being present. Draught horses are usually placid, it is their bulk and the sheer weight of their limbs that makes life difficult. A hoofrest might help, but walking away would solve the problem. Stay safe and good luck.

Chemically sedated drafts would probably be pretty heavy!! They're heavy enough when they're trying to help.
Cody

I have worked in stocks and it goes alright, most of the time. The horses are used to them, the guy knows how to use them, and the horses are calm. With all that, I have seen things go bad. We had a young horse go down it them and getting her up was a real chore. A few years before I went there, a young lady farrier did them once. She left with one less tooth!!! There is a crank that lifts a strap that is on the leg, the horse kicked and the crank handle slipped out of her hand. It came around and nocked out one of her front teeth. My advice, leave it for someone that thinks there bullet proof, or someone with experience with the big boys. There is a lot easier money out there.
Cody

Sounds to me like your best option would be to follow the advice of all who preceeds this post.

Walk away.

I have worked drafts for many years and zI school folks in how to handle them along with schooling drafts and horses to stand quietly for being worked on, BUT unless you have someone experienced there to guide you or someone to help who know what they are doing, then the correct answer is walk away from this one.

Out of curiosity, just where are you located ?

my 2 cents worth

1.) unless you know what you are doing do not attempt to train drafts to enter the stocks. If you do make sure you leave pleanty of time and charge for your time.

2.) Drafts are smart I've known several that figured out that if they prevented us from fastening the ankle strap around the fetlock we would not be able to lift the foot. So they would kick violently at anyone trying to put the strap on. If we did get it on they would put all thier weight on that leg and defeat the leg raising process that way.

Given the issues of stock entry and leg raising it is simpler to just train the horse to stand for the farrier than to train them to stocks. If a horse owner has stocks and has trained the horse to be happy in them I use them . If not I offer to train the horse at the hourly rate but I no longer train horses to stocks.

I aqree that it isn't worth being hurt or hurting the horse. There are plenty of good horses to do to risk being hurt by the bad ones. If they get too bad, you can always refer the client to these guys shown in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlJMIFx_npk&feature=related

Be safe!

Great find Trevor,
I guess the owner takes a hand in dicipline!! Looks like the nails got some good traction on the heads.

As to the drafts in stocks, I was taught by a Farrier very experienced at using quality stocks, on a horse trained to the stocks. I did the horse for a couple of years and could see the poetical for major problems.

As to the Farriers of Kashgar, I wanted to see how they mapped out the foot before they they trimmed.

I would agree, it's probably in your best interests to skip this one. If you are not well versed on using them, it's a disaster waiting to happen. It's more than just walk them in and trim them:)

Steve

There you go,, Drafthorse Shoer's advising you to walk away.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

my 2 cents worth

vthorseshoe wrote:
And if you decide to ignore everyone's advice please have someone video the whole thing for Baron's new video section.:D:D

OH ! Yes please .....

Jim I like your sense of humor !!

my 2 cents worth