FARRIER SERVICE

Why do we trim or shoe horses?

To keep the bony column of leg in alignment,

so when the foot strikes the ground, the entire

bony column, including the spine, equally absorbs the concussion.

REASONS TO SHOE YOUR HORSE

-Conformation

-Where you ride "gravel, asphalt, rocky"

-How much you ride "10-20-30 miles a day

-Gaiting problems

-Riding with speed

-Damaged hooves

When Trimming or Shoeing

A Normal Horse

It should always be done on the natural angle

of the horses' pastern to keep him in balance lateral, medial.

When trimming

You should always leave the sole, the frog, and the bars

only removing the dirt traps. The sole and the frog will help protect the sensitive structures within the hoof. You should leave about 1/4" of hoof wall above the sole, and then round all edges of the hoof.

When shoeing

6 step to shoeing your horse:

1--Trim down to live sole

2--Lateral, Medial balance

3--Symmetrical

4--Toe length

5--Bone in the center of the shoe

6--Natural Angle

You should always ask your farrier how he is shoeing your horse.

If he gets your horse out of balance, you and/or your horse could get hurt. Some good web sites that will have more info will be listed on my Links

Here is a picture of some of my handmade shoes that I made for an icelandic. They are 3/8" by 3/4" and 3/8" by 1". I can make any size needed including, spoon heel, pencil heel, and weighted shoes. Every horses' needs are different and you should always work with the farrier that understands gaited horses. Weighted shoes can be used to help improve certain gaits and to change flight patterns. Weighted shoes can also be used to correct conformation problems.