Alright, so I remember when I finally got rid of that old wooden shoeing box and bought a nice aluminum box and made a big tall handle for it, and I thought I was in heaven. Then I bought a grinder and threw the hot rasp away, thought it couldn't get better. Finally I broke down and got a pad cutter, I knew that nothing could top that. So then I got a forgemaster forge and thought I died and gone to heaven. And now I got the hoof jack. That's right, I saw it and in a moment of weakness bought it, and I love it. I only use it for hind feet on these monster WB's but it is well worth it. Not to mention that my other hoofstand was metal and adjustable that was heavy and made alot of noise, this is light adjustable and the cradle is great. So I'm wondering, how many of you use a cradle? And if you use one, do you use it on all the horses you work on or just a select few?

Dave

Now all you need is some gloves and a milking stool.

I would have bought one allready if it wasn't so closely associated with the "alternative hoofcare" types.

I have one and I wouldn't be without it. I use it mainly on hind feet. Some horses don't like it at first, but it usually doesn't take them too long to figure out it's more comfortable for them too.

I've had one for quite a while and its become about like an American Express Card. I will use it on the front end of an American Warmblood(aka: drafter ) if that horse is really heavy with the front end. I also use it when I have to add a pour-in pad, especially in front. Its like having that third hand we always seem to need to get the material where we want it instead of all over ourselves.

I use one on just about everyhorse I work on. A select few dont like it. Sometimes if I'm just trimming 1-2 horses I'll keep it in the truck. I only use it on the hind feet and I do trimming and nailing on it. I couldn't do as many horses in a day as I do without it and my back doesn't hurt as bad at the end of the day when I use it. I have two off them one for the cradle and one that I mounted a piece of PVC tube to it to holed my clinching tools or if I'm trimming it holds my trimming tools. It's the best thing since sliced bread.

Andrew Grimm

I use a cradle on the hinds all the horses I do makes it easier on the back. I currently have the hoof stand and cradle made by NC. I like the hof stand part but don't like the angled cradle.

I plan on purchasing a Hoof Jack as soon as I can afford it.

Roy, for your information the Hoof Jack was designed and manufactured by a farrier for farriers.

They also are coming out with a Tool Caddy (called the Tool Jack) there was an artical in the AFJ a couple issues back about the Tool Jack. I contacted them and they said it would be a couple months before they went on the market.


Gary

I call it my geriatric stand. I can do the old guys and gals closer to the ground and they love it. I also use it on the front of a roping horse that put two farriers in the hospital. She just doesn't like giving up the front feet, however, if you put them in the cradle and work on them she is fine.

Gary I saw a prototype of the tool caddy at the Hoof summit. The way they explained it to me was that you will be able to buy replaceable parts so if a horse does get it, you can order parts instead of having to buy a whole new box.

Wayne

Roy Amaral CJF wrote:
Was wondering where you went.

As for the Hoof Jack. I dont have one. I used one and it just seemed to get in the way. I have an NC stand. Its nice but its aluminum base is very noisy and the tool caddy does leave a bit to be desired. I use it when finishing. I do have a hoof cradle attachment I use sometimes as well. I ahve one of those horses too that does not like his foot held by the farrier, but stands all day with the hoof cradle.

-Josh
________
Honda TRX250R history

Gary_Miller wrote:
I don't doubt it. It does look like a really nice unit.

I want over to their booth at Equine affair last year with the intention of picking one up but ther were a bunch of "strasserites" there and NBS videos playing on his TV.

I went and got a beer instead.

Well my back sure doesn't care if the BUA, and NB use the thing. I like it. In fact I wish I would've gotten one a few years ago. So far as I can tell, the hoofjack hasn't given off any vibes and certainly hasn't told me how to trim or shoe my horses. If I were you Roy, I'd buy the thing, and celebrate with a beer.

Dave

While at Farrier school in '92, I saw a hoof stand with a cradle in a mag and copied it. An old harrow disk cut to a smaller diamiter, 1/8 pipe welded around the edge, adjustable stand hight.
I use it on every horse. If they don't like it, they learn. If a horse dosen't like nails being driven in do you glue on the shoes?
Many horses will leave their hind foot on the cradle while I go to the anvil to adjust the shape of a shoe.
I have two on the truck, but when I had only one, I drove about fifty miles to retrive it when the helper left the cradle at a stable before I did the next horse.
Bill

Roy Amaral CJF wrote:

I personally don't like his selling techniques. He got a bit under my skin at Rolex, and rubbed me the wrong way. I don't like salemen much, and I don't like sales techniques that put you or your methods down to sell their product.

Roy, I'll buy the next beer.

Dianne

Dave,
now you just need the "San Francisco Fairyer" pogo stick to strap to your butt while you shoe! You could make a website called "Fairyer Gadgets" and post new movies daily... Stop Dancing!
Jason

Jason,
Wasn't that a bright idea. I imagined a guy walking between two horses and accedently hitting one in the hock and spooking it. The person would turn toward that horse and steep back a bit, instintivly, and wack the other horse, which was ready to go 'cause the first horse had him wound up.
Then there was the thought of going to sit on that thing next to a horse in an old barn and sticking the leg of the seat in an old knot hole and slaming your self down to the floor, hurting your back, being strap-ed to the thing with the spooked horse dancing just above you.
By the way, I'm from San Francisco, that's (what you wrote) why I left.
Bill

Bill Adams wrote:
Funny thing that....

I always imagined turning it around and mounting it in the front. It could be a big help when leaning forward to clinch the fronts.

...And for those times when you're waiting for the next horse to be brought out, you could just lean forward til it engages the ground and spin on it.
Kind of like stand & spin. <----Hours O' fun right there!!!

What's the worst that could happen???
1) either you'll be laughed out of the barn or...
2) you'll be the envy of every gelding in the place.

..either way, it'd be a good time for all.