donkey trim

This will probably be a short one….I don’t know who reads this, if anyone, but for my documentation I want to post my theory about trimming donkeys, burrows, and even their half relation, the mule. One of the guidelines/rule-of-thumb farriers use now to help determine a balanced trim is stated similar to: “trim the heels to the widest part of the frog”. However, I find this does not apply to the above-mentioned critters. I notice that a large portion of the donkey’s frog typically is aligned to set behind the heels. Am I wrong? Can someone comment to let me know if I am way off track?

pic 1 donkey

pic 2 trimmed

pic 3 untrimmed

Farrier protocol for EHV-1 concerns

For the last 1 ½ to 2 weeks people in the horse industry have been concerned with the Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1). Whether it is a personal concern to not let their horses contract the disease or to help stop the spread, events have been cancelled/postponed and some training/boarding stables are closing the gates to horses and horse people coming and going. Some don’t want outside horses to enter or boarded horse to re-enter if taken off the premises. I’ve seen a posting to stay-off farriers.

At the outbreak of the news, I was heading to a stable when I received a phone call from the owner that there would be a spray bottle with bleach for me to use on my shoes and tools. Since then I’ve had clients call asking me if we should keep the appointment and, so far, only one has postponed. I am trying to stay pro-active by following protocol standards given to me by a vet.

• Wiping tools with Clorox wipes
• Spraying chaps, buckets, shoes, anvil and stand, etc with a disinfectant. ( I even spray my ponytail!)
• Carry a change of shirts.

Nevada just in the last day or two had its first confirmed EHV-1 virus case. We may be overreacting, but I want to keep working and feel I can do my part to help the concerns of my clients.

Most of my clients are “backyard” horse people so these horses don’t go too far from home anyway. Around here, many folks were just gearing up for the summer show and trail season so hadn’t gone far from home yet.

An old shoer once told me “your backyard horses are your bread and butter…. If you have one that quits you; you’ve lost maybe 1-3 horses. Where as when a big barn clientele quit you, you can lose a weeks worth of wages (times 5-6 per year).” Now that I am the old shoer, I’d add that when a virus like this threatens the horse world, the backyard horses are the backbone to your business because they are less exposed and can stay safer and can stay on the farrier’s books!! As a farrier, it may be fun to talk (brag) about the fancy show barns you have, but I really love to brag on my clients who have 1-3 horses that they cherish. I am honored that they hire me to provide the hoof care.

quarter crack

This horse has a awesome quarter crack due to a traumatic cut on his left outside coronary and bulb area. When I first starting shoeing this horse he had wedge pads and clips. I saw no need for the wedge after trimming the hoof. At first we were using clips, but this crack is not going to heal due to the injury coming from the hoof growth area.
First Horse's Purpose:The owners want to use the horse in the mountains and need him sound and shod in a way that will help ensure not losing a shoe. I firmly believe in the KISS method (keeping it simple...)
Second Evaluation: The best improvement for this hoof was to keep the foot fall and weight bearing where it should be. Ease the breakover both laterally and keep comfort to any medial movement. This crack tends to expand when the hoof is off the ground and closes slightly when weight bearing.
Third Shoe method applied: I trimmed to a 1/3 in front of frog apex and 2/3 behind style. I modified a keg shoe into a " Square" rolled toe (natural balance type)This helps foot fall and weight bearing. I used a light rim which I feel offers ease of lateral movement. I did not apply clips because of the fact that weight bearing actually closes the crack somewhat and felt they weren't needed. I did drive the 4th nail from back to front so it went from behind the crack, through the inside of crack, and clinched in front of cracked. I rasped flares and the deformed section on the rear end of the outside hoof wall; trying to make it look nice which I feel sometimes improves the condition..."If it looks good, it is good" This may not always be the case but I bet in 80% of the cases if you help the hoof look like a hoof you are doing the right thing.

Trimming a Long, Mis-shaped Hoof

Okay, my 1st attempt at adding photos along with text.
Here is a very misshapen front left hoof. There is not one particular thing wrong except it is run a-muck. It is long in the toe, but also, the heels have run forward. The 2nd photo is my attempt to initially trim half the foot to begin showing the process of bringing the hoof back to its norm. Notice the difference in heel length/placement. The untrimmed side is too far forward. The red on the trimmed side is bruising from having the heel and bar region compressed in the wrong configuration and taking weight that wasn't distributed properly. (at least that is my guess) The third photo shows the hoof trimmed, notice the more rounded shape. The bar on the bruised side was broken so I removed it. the frog "wanted" to disappear into the sole which indicates that the hoof was elongating too much at the toe. And typically the sole can be removed so you can see the true apex of the frog. Which is one indicater to use to help in gauging how much toe to take when you don't have x-rays. this horse was toed out and still is toed out due to conformation. Most of my decision on how to trim a foot comes from what I see on the ground surface of the hoof. When everything a lines on the bottom you can pretty much have a balanced foot, minus having to remove flares from the dorsal hoof wall.
Hope some of this made sense. This was my quick overview

Goal Post

Really not much to creatively write. But I do have a goal of trying to post at least one time each month. I may have missed a few times. This year I am thinking of making it my goal to take some photos while out shoeing and publish to my blog. I have acquired a few clients with horses with hoof cracks. I like dealing with cracks. So it might be fun to document any changes, as well as, the type of cracks. I have posted a few times in the past some about cracks and the different types. Since I have a digital camera it should be easy to post pictures.
Talk about pictures....I had a photo of me along with a short interview type article in the Western Horseman magazine this February! ( this issue is out to subscribers already) Jennifer Denison, senior editor, used me in the Women of the West section. It was fun and scary to have that "honor". Hope anyone who read it enjoyed it and I hope people I have met along the way will remember me if they see the article.
2011- Here We Go!

Farrier serving Jesus

If I was a farrier back then, before they went to Bethlehem

Joseph may have used my service to give that donkey a trim

He knew of the rough country and the burden of Mary with her unborn baby.

Before Jesus was born I may have served Him.

Like always, it would’ve been good to stay on trimming schedules

Because men were coming to kill all the young males

So when King Herod set the decree, the donkey was ready to help the family flee

Down to Egypt over rocky trails.

Through most of His years He walked around and fed people lunch

He was a carpenter who healed, did miracles and such

The next horse He rode I probably didn’t trim, because it was not broke, I am told

I guess then He didn’t need my service much.

But I know He kept my name and number for future need

I believe He is coming back, so my name is in that Book, indeed.

Every horse I shoe I keep the clinches tight, because He’ll be riding when He comes for the last fight.

And maybe He’ll choose me to shoe the mighty steed.

THANKFUL

With Thanksgiving around the corner I want to take this space to share a little prayer written by Gina Keesling who operates Farriers' Greeting Cards. I love my profession and am thankful to God that He continues to keep me of sound body to stay in the shoeing business. Thanks to my clients, the people AND the horses.
Here is the little prayer which I claim but did not originate!

A Farrier’s Prayer

By Gina Kessling

Dear Lord, give me strength to start this day
And wisdom and courage to face whatever I encounter in my travels.

Even though my work with horses is difficult and dangerous,
Grant me patience for his flighty and unpredictable ways,
And keep me safe from harm as I do my task.

Let me remember that my satisfaction comes from helping
A lame horse to go sound, and a sound one to do his job with comfort.

Help me to have patience with my fellow humans, and to remember that
Most love their horses and want what is best for them.

Let me have respect and fellowship with my peers so that we are
Not alone in this complex and challenging vocation.

Remind me that while my work is important, faith and family should
Come first; help me to schedule my days to reflect the priorities.

And at the end of the day, when my mind and body are tired,
Help me remember why I chose this profession,
And never let me lose fascination and reverence for this
Wonderful creature You have given us, the horse.

AMEN