Farrier...foot angle

[Pennyhp]

My farrier came to trim my horse and I asked her to do another one that is at livery with me. This horse is usually trimmed by another farrier. She did the horses feet but said at the the end that she hadn't taken too much off because each farrier sets the feet at a different angle and she didn't want to change the angle for this horse.
I have never heard this before. I just expected a farier to do what was right for each horse, to know what is correct considering the horses foot structure/conformation/slope of pastern etc.

Since I have moved to Canada I have found many differences in the horse world here to that which I experienced back in England. I was out of horses for many years before I moved over here and so may be somewhat out of touch with any new thinking etc.

So is this usual or what?
Just a bit confused..thoughts please.

 

[brucea]

Well - there is a correct angle as such and you can see whether a hoof is at the "correct" angle by standing the horse square on a level surface and simply looking at the hoof - pastern angles. If the foot is too long, heels under-run, or it is dumped, that will be obvious.

 

[sonjafoers]

I agree with SMID - check the hoof/pastern axis as if this is broken it may suggest a problem with the foot angle. Collapsed or underrun heels combined with a long toe will have a bearing on this axis

 

[Natch]

I think farriers develop their own "eye" and opinion on best way to trim a horse. Two farriers may well disagree with what is best for each horse, and it seems that your farrier has been very kind in not interfering with the other horse.

If both horses are sound, I wouldn't worry too much. If you are interested in learning to develop your own eye for feet, there are several good books on amazon on the subject

 

[Pennyhp]

Thank everyone.

I am out of practice with such things as I said I had been out of the horse world for a long time before I came here, but I am relearning things and remembering stuff all the time.

Yes I can understand that there are differences of opinions between farriers about this to a certain extent.

I am a little cautious here with farriers because they don't have to do the kind of triaing that is manditory in the UK. There are many that go down to the states for 3 months or so and do a course. I havn't met one who has done an apprenticship. Doesn't seem to happen much.

My farrier I really like and my mares feet have improved since she started doing them. It was only because the other horse is usually done by someone else that I suppose she even mentioned the angles as she wasn't sure if it was a one off trim for her.

Thanks again all