Farrier unable to come out

[aimee-mac]

Hi all,

I have a 10yr old 14hh cob, he’s completely barefoot and has been for his entire life. We were on a 6 week schedule on the dot with my amazing farrier. However on the 21st September, we had a case of strangles that (even with bio- security) spread like wildfire. My pony luckily has been clear the entire time, however, understandably- my farrier doesn’t wish to come out. He was due out on Friday the 14th October, so will be due end of this month again.
Im getting worried that my boys feet are getting too long, im trying to exercise him on concrete (slowly) to wear them down, but is there anything else I can do?
Many thanks!!

 

[PurBee]

Walking on gravel helps them wear off excess hoof wall brilliantly as well. I have gravel tracks all over my place and through/to paddocks which the horses have free use all the time, and a gravel-type dry-lot area where barn and hay is - i’ve lost count the number of weeks/months since their last trim, as they self-trim amazingly well on that footing. Im really elated how well the tracks do for their feet. Last year i extended the tracks massively, and this years human trimming has been astoundingly minimal.
I always read that self-trimming is possible on the right footing, but having done it, i know it to be absolutely true.

I dont mean round driveway type gravel, more like gravel tracks youd get through forestry areas, small angular stones with a mix of sand. If you have any bridle paths that are a gravely mix that’ll really help.

Mine use the tracks mostly at a walk, so its not necessary to go at a pace on gravel to increase self-trimming.

But if your horse has really fast growing feet and has hoof growing pathologies/imbalances that are needing regular trimming work to maintain balance, maybe you could ring another farrier who has awareness/solution of bio-security methods and happy to visit?

 

[Surbie]

If your horse's feet are normally straighforward, could your farrier give you some advice on what to do based on pictures of your horse's feet? Do you have, or could you buy a radius rasp? I've also had a bit of a hiatus farrier-wise, and these have been a godsend. Though they aren't cheap.

I have both the black and white ones, but find I use the black one (coarse) more and finish off with an old rasp my farrier gave me.

 

[Red-1]

If you are not confident, a Rider's rasp is easy to manage. A real rasp is better though. Always, always wear gloves with a real rasp though. Learned from experience.

 

[Goldenstar]

Ring the farrier and ask for an old rasp that’s the best way to learn .
Every third day draw it round the toes twice it should not be too long before the farrier gets back so I would leave the heels .
What needs doing depends of on how your horses feet look every horse has it own growth pattern .
Keep walking him on abrasive surfaces.

 

[lynz88]

A radius rasp is useful though I do find it needs a bit of arm grease! My farrier went MIA so I've switched to a different farrier that the yard uses (seems decent enough) but instead of a 4 week cycle, horse is now on a 6 week cycle so will probably be using the radius rasp a bit more often than I have been....

 

[hairycob]

When we had strangles our vet just made us the last visit of the week.

 

[Surbie]

If you are not confident, a Rider's rasp is easy to manage. A real rasp is better though. Always, always wear gloves with a real rasp though. Learned from experience.

This is a very good tip! I currently have 3 very inconvenient scrapes on my thumb and forefinger from my real rasp because I forgot to put my gloves on.

 

[aimee-mac]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I’m limited to what our yard has to offer and very lucky to have a concrete lane to walk down! I’ll absolutely look into the rasps! Thank you!!

 

[Landcruiser]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I’m limited to what our yard has to offer and very lucky to have a concrete lane to walk down! I’ll absolutely look into the rasps! Thank you!!

It's a slippery slope . Your farrier will soon be out of a job!

 

[Tiddlypom]

A radius rasp is a great investment for all owners. It's pretty idiot proof in operation ?.

It was my first purchase when thinking of getting some trimming tools. I am now fully kitted out with and comfortable to use my collection of rasps, hoof knives, hoof nippers and a hoof stand, but I still use my trusty radius rasp to give a final finish to a trim.

 

[ihatework]

Definitely a radius rasp!
Saves a fortune.
I do my youngsters myself every couple of weeks and they see the farrier now once every 12 weeks.

 

[IrishMilo]

Once you know what you're doing rasping is super easy and saves situations like this. There are hundreds of videos on Youtube to get you started and lots of us on here who do it who can guide you. It does take some getting used to - farriers and trimmers make it look easy!

 

[lynz88]

I've been debating on getting a hoof knife as my guy gets ridges on his feet quite quickly in between farrier visits but I've been afraid to take the plunge!