Another short blog entry. I have a few horses in my rounds that I would love to trim the hooves one day and in 1-3 days return and actually put the shoes on the horse. Actually one of the horses that I end up doing this on is one of my own. In his case he really grows a lot of toe. By giving him a modest trim one day and shoeing him 1-3+ days (whenever I get to him…he is mine after all!) I find the hooves have sort of “found their own” by either (1)wearing where the front to back balance is more appropriate or (2)if it is damp the sole has ‘released’ itself to the point I can tell what really needs to come out and how short I can trim the toe. This allows me to shoe him so he doesn’t appear long.
Often times even a little time can help when letting the hoof “tell” you how much to trim. I have found that if I question my trim i.e. thinking more hoof needs to be trimmed, but am questioning the sole depth, I can go on to the other feet and give the foot in question 10 – 20 minutes of rest after an initial trim and little fissures can appear in the sole to let me know to trim more.
Unfortunately, customers either don’t want to pay me to come 2x’s in one week, the horse is rode everyday with no time to be barefoot, or they are not available to schedule the 2 day shoeing job!
Oops! I pulled my horses hind shoes the other day...I better get out and get those shoes on if I want to ride…we are rocky, rocky, rocky!! Ahhhh, I can barely afford my own theories!!
