Barefooters - Who trims themselves?

katie_southwest

katie_southwest

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My trimmer came today and as per usual said my ponies feet are both really healthy and strong (yipee) :D and that she really isnt needing to do much at all. She has suggested that perhaps sometime in the near future I may be interested in her showing me how to do this myself.
Im happy to do this, but just wondered do many of you do this aswell? Do you still have your trimmer/farrier out every so often to check?

Im thinking of maybe saying to her that she could come every other time at first?
:)
 
I did this with my farrier :) he showed me how to clean the edges up as thats all he does when he comes. At first to make sure I did it right I had him come every 16 weeks to keep an eye on me. After a while (untill this year, pony gone foot sore :( ) he would just nip round every few months, when next door shoeing theirs :)
 
Unless you have any type or recognised qualification, then it's illegal to trim your horses feet yourself.

However a small rasp to tidy up the edges won't hurt.
 
I thought its only illegal to shoe a horse?

My Farrier does mine because of insurance. Just check your small print, some exclude foot issues if you trim your own and don't have a registered farrier.
 
Yes that's all Shes doing when she comes hence why she suggested me doing it instead :)
I try to do a fair bit of roadwork to try and help self trim which is obviously working, if it was any more than just tidying up I wouldn't feel comfortable anyway I don't think.
 
amymay said:
Unless you have any type or recognised qualification, then it's illegal to trim your horses feet yourself.
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This is not true.

I trim my TB myself. So far so good, and I've noticed some improvements in his feet since I started. If I was unsure about the trimming I would get a professional in to evaluate my work, but at the moment I'm happy with how it's going.
 
Ella19 said:
I thought its only illegal to shoe a horse?
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Sorry, you're right - I've just checked.

It's not regulated (which is part of the problem, unfortunately).

However, horse owners should be aware that although, simple trimming and rasping of horses’ feet is allowed by lay persons under the Act to permit maintenance of foals’ and other unshod horses’ feet, it should not be attempted by anyone who is not qualified.

Source - Farriers registration Act.
 
If your horse is doing enough work, you should only need to tidy the edges, if that.

Unlikely you could do any harm with that at all :).
 
katie_southwest said:
Oh I don't know oberon Im sure I could!!! :)
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Even the worst trim to a wall can be 'gotten over' in 5 days with a BF horse.

The danger with trimming is

1) When you do a bad trim then lock that into shape with a shoe.
2) When you start cutting into the sensitive structures.
3) You get over confident and start 'mirco trimming' every other day or 'sculpting' and forget to respect the hoof.

Owner trimmers usually do a very conservative and sympathetic trim when shown what to do correctly - and this is usually very much appreciated by the horses.
 
Oh blimey yes I would literally be tidying round the edges which is what my trimmer currently does.
If I don't feel 100% I would just get her to keep coming instead but I may just get her to show / supervise me and see how I feel :)
 
Yes, I use a Riders Rasp every week, with the full approval of my farrier. He trims properly every twelve weeks.

It is illegal to SHOE a horse, not to trim your own horse's feet
 
ive just ordered a riders rasp and my farrier is going to show me how to tidy up around the edges as my pony gets very untidy between trims ,but i wouldnt dream of not still having the farrier to do a proper trim every so often. i think it will make life easier with retarded archie too!
 
amymay said:
Sorry, you're right - I've just checked.

It's not regulated (which is part of the problem, unfortunately).

However, horse owners should be aware that although, simple trimming and rasping of horses’ feet is allowed by lay persons under the Act to permit maintenance of foals’ and other unshod horses’ feet, it should not be attempted by anyone who is not qualified.

Source - Farriers registration Act.
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...but isn't that actually a quote from the Worshipful Company of Farriers (ie their opinion) not actually directly from the Farriers Registration Act?
 
Oberon said:
If your horse is doing enough work, you should only need to tidy the edges, if that.

Unlikely you could do any harm with that at all :).
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with regards to a quick 'tidy' who uses these and what are your opinions on them as I am thinking of getting one, I will obviously be having farrier out too, to keep an eye on him as he is such a young horse and still growing, although he has pretty good legs and hooves:

RIDERS-RASP
 
I think I would worry trimming my own. If you have to much hoof wall how do you know your not making it uneven. I mean the farrier has just trimmed my pony and used the nippers to nip off his hoof wall than rasped them down. Couldn't I off just used a rasp and slowing take the wall down instead off paying £30 for a 5 min trim
 
thatsmygirl said:
I think I would worry trimming my own. If you have to much hoof wall how do you know your not making it uneven. I mean the farrier has just trimmed my pony and used the nippers to nip off his hoof wall than rasped them down. Couldn't I off just used a rasp and slowing take the wall down instead off paying £30 for a 5 min trim
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Yes you could just use a rasp, but if you are unsure in any way then you need to educate yourself first or get your farrier to show you how. Many barefoot horses do most the trimming themselves :) if worked enough.
 
tallyho! said:
I'd like to see a farrier try and prosecute me for rasping my own horses' feet :D
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They'd be quick enough to prosecute a BUA alright.

Remember, you have to be a farrier to legally get away with mutilating a horse (or two) with little more than a slap on the wrist :rolleyes:
 
I trim my toenails if that counts?

Oh you mean trim my horses myself :p

Mine essentially self trim and only see the farrier every now and again if needed or for a tidy up :o
 
thatsmygirl said:
I think I would worry trimming my own. If you have to much hoof wall how do you know your not making it uneven. I mean the farrier has just trimmed my pony and used the nippers to nip off his hoof wall than rasped them down. Couldn't I off just used a rasp and slowing take the wall down instead off paying £30 for a 5 min trim
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You know that they are even by making them the same height above the sole callous on each side.

As the OP said, on a straight horse with good feet it really isn't rocket science!
 
amymay said:
it should not be attempted by anyone who is not qualified.[/i]

Source - Farriers registration Act.
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Shucks. It was two fully qualified farriers who lamed my horses and numpty old me with no training whatsoever who brought them sound again without shoes on.

Pretty good job I didn't take their advice, eh?
 
Riders Rasp, great "how to use it" video on Youtube, check with my farrier - who says pony's feet are "spot on", but I still insist he does a visit regularly, and bob's your uncle.
 
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