Today was the day I put my studying to the test. Remember the
hoof care book I got? Coyote Belle got to be the guinea pig, as I don't ride her, so if I messed up it wouldn't have a major impact. Here is her left front before trimming;
I kind of got distracted by Nitro, he was having a moment:
I swear I don't know how he stays on his feet sometimes. He had a few more moments....
and since he was ripping around......
and the ground was too wet for me to see my guideline marks, I left him in there and moved the mare over on to the cement pad. (Dogs were banished to the porch too!)
So with lots of referencing my book, here is how that foot looks:
There's still a few issues with it, so I'll probably work on it some more tomorrow.
Right front before: (you can see that the toe was self trimming)
and after:
Like I said, it's a work in progress.
Here's a side view:
You can see that she has arches at the hairline, and I did relieve the quarters so I'll see what it looks like tomorrow. I don't think I got the 30 degree angle right, and I probably need to take more toe, but I'll check all that tomorrow- I got over heated and had to quit. I admire those women who can trim more than two hooves in a day- this is hard work for an old gal like me!
Getting back to Nitro, he will be 3 months old on Friday, so I'll be doing the post I promised of all of Belle's foals at 3 months.
18 comments:
You're doing great!! Keep at it!!
I`m no expert! But sure looks good to me! .......(Its hard work, isnt it)
Congrats! I think it is great that you are learning to do this. It will get easier with time, I'm betting. My barefoot guy (and his girlfriend) use an electric grinder - not only does it speed the process up, but he feels it puts less torque on the horse's pasterns. It might be something to research... yeah, more reading for you!
Dreaming- they show an electric grinder in one of the photos of the book- but I'm not confident enough to use one.
Looks great and think of the cash you saved, Nitro is a fireball..:-)
Looks pretty darn good. You might be right on needing a bit more toe off, but nice feet to be learning on. Are there not many farriers in your area?
Good job. That colt does some fine ziggin' and zaggin'!
Leave the toes where they are, just roll the wall more and take more of those bars out. Bars should end at the midpoint of the frog. Some of that arch you're seeing in the quarters are because her bars are too long. Fortunately for you she has gorgeous slate colored soles so it makes the overgrown bar easier to spot.
Wow! Don't sell yourself short. You've done a great job!
There are no good barefoot trimmers here; the one I used for the last year allowed all my horses to get overgrown bars, and out of balance feet. In desperation, and with the help of a friend, I'm learning to do it myself- that way I don't have to pay anyone to wreck my horses!
Smaz- I am taking that bar material out a little at a time, I'm afraid to dig too deep all at once.
Yea, the toe is still a little long so it's not a straight line through the coronary band, which you caught.
It used to take me days to shoe a single horse, but I got faster.
That Nitro! What an awesome little life.
Who wouldn't get distracted with that cute little booger running all over the place?
Looks like you are doing great with the hoof trim. Before you know it you will be an expert!
I don't know alot about trimming but it sure does look like a good job!
Looks pretty good to me, especially for a first effort.
I know next to nothing about hooves, which is something I'm trying to remedy.
I don't think I'll be physically able to trim all 8 head on my own but if I learn enough you can be dang sure that I'll be my farrier's best client/worst nightmare ;) btw I should mention "new farrier". The last guy has been shown the door.
I think her feet look pretty good! I am going to have to get the book and read it just to make sure that I understand what you are talking about! (0:
That Nitro is something else!
You are doing a wonderful job Shirley!! as a few people said the arch if still there the next day will be because of the bar. Just remember the average hoof will grow at a 8th of an inch a month so make sure you are removing enough to get ahead of the growth. It is tough when you start as you are never sure if you are going too deep or not.. but your eyes will train to the differences in sole and bar and you will build confidence!! Try to keep in your mind her bar should end just ahead of the central sulcus.
Just trust your hoofprint ring for the toe length and always bring the toe to that spot. leaving it long will stress tendons and brake over.
Also remember on her right front to site it how I showed you so's to not mess with her shoulder.
You are doing a wonderful job!!
Nice work Shirley! Keep it up- a little at a time is fine. The best part of trimming your own horses is you can take all the time in the world to get things done and done right. ;)
Love watching Nitro! He is a pip!! Man that Beamer and Belle cross makes some FINE FINE babies!!
Shirley the farrier! I know nothing..but you are trying and learning! Nitro is sure well named..love his butt in the air photo:)
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