Basic shoes/shoeing question

[RachelB]

I have bitten the bullet and called the vet to ask if I can start working Maiden again

While I am waiting for her to call back, I thought I'd go and find Maiden's front shoes that I have somewhere in the shed, as farrier is coming tomorrow to trim her and I'm sure will be a whole lot happier about sticking front shoes on at short notice if I have some for him to re-fit. Only problem is that I am pretty sure they'll be rusty by now as they haven't been used for nearly a year... would they be ok to use? I don't want to go telling the farrier I have shoes for him to re-fit if they are unsuitable!

 

[Bounty]

Her feet will almost certainly have changed shape after a year barefoot, especially if she had been in shoes for years prior to having them removed.

 

[RachelB]

I hadn't thought of that!

Oh dear I may have to re-book farrier at this rate! I was more thinking I've never seen a horse wearing rusty shoes and is the rust ok?!
They have changed shape though, she has had 11 months barefoot being trimmed by a crap farrier (nothing I could do to change him)

 

[pinkcatkin]

Ditto Bounty, when my mare was off work for a year she had to have a new set even though I had her old set ready.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

The farrier will probably have to heat & re-shape the shoes anyway, I wouldn't bother just have him fit new shoes. The difference in cost of re-fitting & fitting new is literally only a few pounds as there is the same amount of work required. Unless your horse is a really difficult size, which is unlikely, he's bound to have shoes with him that will do the job.

 

[RachelB]

Never mind then, I will just have to BEG my farrier to take a bit more time with her to put some shoes on! Though of course it all still hangs on what the vet says!
Thanks for the replies guys

 

[Bounty]

To set your mind at ease about the rust thing as I can tell you are intrigued - it probably wouldn't have been anything that a quick swipe with a wire brush wouldn't sort anyway!

Good luck with the begging, and really pleased to hear that you think Maiden is ready to come back into work - yey!

 

[Dressagebabe]

So long as the farrier hot shoe's then he can change the shape to fit and the rust just burns off!!! I have a superb farrier that makes me keep shoes from years ago incase my horse looses one in the field that I can't find then he can just heat it up and re-shape it to fit. The only problem is my horse has only ever lost 5 shoes in 18yrs - Thats what I call a fantastic farrier!