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
No, your observation is quite right. Widest part of the donkey's frog is pretty much behind the hoof. No trimming back to that.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done burros in a while... But may be shopping for a Mammoth Jack soon. Guess I'll have to refresh my memory!
Thanks. Good luck with your Jack...Are you gonna raise mules? I think "trim to the widest part of the frog" doesn't apply to mules either. Sometimes it gets close.....
ReplyDeleteDraft mules, perhaps... Tried breeding my best Belgian mare to a Belgian stud AI this year, and it was a lot of coin and effort wasted.
ReplyDeleteNeed to just get a new stud around here. And the wife has always loved the big, red mules...
I think all the rules go out the window when it comes to donkeys!
ReplyDeleteKeep blogging,
David Hankin Dip.WCF
www.farriery.com