I’ve finally trimmed my own horse’s hooves myself!

[SEL]

have you got a nipper spring on? there are about £12 and easy to fit. Makes so much difference as you can easily use the nippers one handed. My nipper spring got damaged last week end and when I used them without I realised how much difference it made.
When you are using nippers don't try and nip the full width of the nippers. After the first cut (on the quarters where the wall is thinner) just move them half a jaw length onwards to you are nipping less but it is a lot easier on hard feet. Work on just "nibbling" your way around the foot one handed until it becomes easier for you.

Ooh good advice thankyou . No they haven't got a spring. I'll buy one. I only do the Appy because I can barely hold the Ardenne's hoof let alone do anything useful to it.

 

[PurBee]

Congrats! Thats a really neat job for your first proper go. Love the stand youve got...i’d be in heaven using one of them!
instead i hitch the hoof onto my bended knee/thigh...and the buggers lean heavy.
im certainly not brave enough to hitch rear hoof between my legs, and im not even male! ?

i do 1 horse a day...thats quite enough!...even have a brew between fronts and backs...i find it quite tough going...?
I wouldn't want to be a farrier, despite deep interest in hooves and care...its truly the worst back breaking job!

 

[paddy555]

Ooh good advice thankyou . No they haven't got a spring. I'll buy one. I only do the Appy because I can barely hold the Ardenne's hoof let alone do anything useful to it.

is the Ardenne a relatively safe horse? if so have you tried sitting on something like a milk crate and holding the foot in your lap? The horses seem to like that approach as it is easy for them. Their feet are kept quite low so it is less strain for them and they are flexible in your lap, nothing rigid for them.
You can then rasp/nip/cut more easily without breaking your back and in a lot more comfort. Pull the rasp towards you on the outside wall and push it away on the inside wall.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’d be beggared if I had to hold the weight of the hoof as well as trim it!

The hoof jack takes the strain. This is not me in the pics, but it is my IDx mare. There are two interchangeable fittings, the hoof post and the hoof cradle.

There’s a mini hoof jack version suitable for ponies and creaky horses. The IDx is pretty creaky, with bilateral hock arthritis amongst other ailments, but she doesn't resent it at all.

 

[PurBee]

I

I’d be beggared if I had to hold the weight of the hoof as well as trim it!

The hoof jack takes the strain. This is not me in the pics, but it is my IDx mare. There are two interchangeable fittings, the hoof post and the hoof cradle.

There’s a mini hoof jack version suitable for ponies and creaky horses. The IDx is pretty creaky, with bilateral hock arthritis amongst other ailments, but she doesn't resent it at all.

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i really like the farrier’s ankle belt of tools, so handy to have them there.

TBh, im not keen on the hoof post...i wouldnt trust my horses to keep their foot on it, would take some training to get them to use it and just keep their foot still. The cradle stance they’d be better at...and would probably use that more than the post as i do a roll from underneath and dont need to see the topside of hoof as i dont rasp the outside hoofwall, except to roll it.

my mare is fairly easy on me and attempts to hold some of her weight. Whereas the gelding, especially his hinds, has me holding his entire leg up over my thigh. If a farrier saw my ‘technique’ of holding their hooves to trim they’d wet themselves giggling. Trouble is, its become habitual! I adopted the least ‘intrusive’ method initially as they both experienced an aggressive farrier that whacked them when they moved, so became very nervous to trim. Since then, now they’re more calm, theyve kinda expected me to continue with my odd stances..whenever i try a conventional method like between knees they pull their hooves away like “hey, whatcha doing?!” ?

 

[PurBee]

Ooh good advice thankyou . No they haven't got a spring. I'll buy one. I only do the Appy because I can barely hold the Ardenne's hoof let alone do anything useful to it.

Are there any nippers around that dont open so wide? I couldnt use my conventional one handed with spring as the arms open so wide, and i’ve only got a 5 inch palm/finger length. Have to use the full length of the handle for leverage on thick tough walls.

 

[ester]

the spring stops them opening so wide?

for anyone interested F is 14.2, creaky and quite happy with a full sized hoof stand, generally more comfortable on it than being held, no training required (in fact he has been incredibly patient on it at times!)
No idea if I will ever use it again but it was sheer luck to get a second hand one so it's not going anywhere. I do like having the magnets too.

 

[welshpony216]

nice job!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Update to this thread.

I'm rather chuffed. My farrier did come back out today, 8 months since his last visit, and it's just been me trimming my 3 in the meantime.

He said that I've done a pretty decent job . I am feeling properly pleased by that, as I did get somewhat thrown in at the deep end. He laughingly offered me an apprentice's position - which I said might not work out as I can only trim 2 feet a day!

He's certainly tweaked and improved things, and he showed me how and why. He has a very good eye for the slightly longer heel/shorter toe foot balance that I and my vet prefer.

I've booked him to come out again in a month, and then intend to stretch the interval up to three months, with me trimming them in the meantime.

 

[Michen]

Update to this thread.

I'm rather chuffed. My farrier did come back out today, 8 months since his last visit, and it's just been me trimming my 3 in the meantime.

He said that I've done a pretty decent job . I am feeling properly pleased by that, as I did get somewhat thrown in at the deep end. He laughingly offered me an apprentice's position - which I said might not work out as I can only trim 2 feet a day!

He's certainly tweaked and improved things, and he showed me how and why. He has a very good eye for the slightly longer heel/shorter toe foot balance that I and my vet prefer.

I've booked him to come out again in a month, and then intend to stretch the interval up to three months, with me trimming them in the meantime.

TP is she flat footed too? Bear's are so flat and he too has the same feet issues, I'm really hoping I can properly fix them out of shoes. Did her feet get more concavity?

 

[Tiddlypom]

TP is she flat footed too? Bear's are so flat and he too has the same feet issues, I'm really hoping I can properly fix them out of shoes. Did her feet get more concavity?

Yes, they were flat and she is thin soled.

Her frogs and heels are beefier, the sole is not as thin, and there is much more concavity since she came out of shoes. She was in and out of shoes at first, but has been fully out of them for about 20 months now. Hoof boots were invaluable early on for comfort for turnout, but not been needed for ages.

ETA She has other issues, she's had her front coffins, hocks and SI successfully medicated, and her gut biome was way off but is being addressed, but she no longer has sick feet .

 

[Michen]

Yes, they were flat and she is thin soled.

Her frogs and heels are beefier, the sole is not as thin, and there is much more concavity since she came out of shoes. She was in and out of shoes at first, but has been fully out of them for about 20 months now. Hoof boots were invaluable early on for comfort for turnout, but not been needed for ages.

ETA She has other issues, she's had her front coffins, hocks and SI successfully medicated, and her gut biome was way off but is being addressed, but she no longer has sick feet .

Thanks that's good to hear. I've read on here that often even barefoot they remain flat footed.

 

[HelenBack]

Thanks that's good to hear. I've read on here that often even barefoot they remain flat footed.

I think it probably depends whether they're naturally flat footed or it's caused by them having being shod. To try and give you a bit of hope, my Connie has been barefoot for coming up for two years now. His feet were a disaster in so many ways when the shoes came off and this did include them being flat. He's got nice concave soles again now and I think it was just the effect of being shod for years and then getting the shoes off that made the difference.

He's got typical Connie feet so they're slow growing and the quality will never be brilliant. They're so much better out of shoes than they ever were when he was shod though and do continue to improve.

Also I wouldn't say I trim him myself but I try to get him out on the tarmac in hand (he's more comfortable in boots to be ridden) and I run the rasp round to do a tidy once a week or so. This seems to be what works best for him both in terms of managing his hooves and keeping him comfortable.

Hope you manage to find a solution that works for you.

 

[Michen]

I think it probably depends whether they're naturally flat footed or it's caused by them having being shod. To try and give you a bit of hope, my Connie has been barefoot for coming up for two years now. His feet were a disaster in so many ways when the shoes came off and this did include them being flat. He's got nice concave soles again now and I think it was just the effect of being shod for years and then getting the shoes off that made the difference.

He's got typical Connie feet so they're slow growing and the quality will never be brilliant. They're so much better out of shoes than they ever were when he was shod though and do continue to improve.

Also I wouldn't say I trim him myself but I try to get him out on the tarmac in hand (he's more comfortable in boots to be ridden) and I run the rasp round to do a tidy once a week or so. This seems to be what works best for him both in terms of managing his hooves and keeping him comfortable.

Hope you manage to find a solution that works for you.

Thanks that’s really helpful. My guy is only 5 and has probably only spent 18 months in total in shoes so I expect it’s natural. He has such small, rubbish looking feet whereas my other connies feet are so much bigger somehow and naturally more concave (although he’s 9 he has had various long periods out of shoes)

 

[HelenBack]

Thanks that’s really helpful. My guy is only 5 and has probably only spent 18 months in total in shoes so I expect it’s natural. He has such small, rubbish looking feet whereas my other connies feet are so much bigger somehow and naturally more concave (although he’s 9 he has had various long periods out of shoes)

Yeah my lad has got stupidly small feet too. If I went to look at him now I'd take one look at his feet and refuse to buy him! I think rubbish feet is a bit of a thing for some Connies unfortunately. Hopefully you're giving him the best chance though and I know some people say all hooves can be great with optimal diet and management but I suspect they've never owned a Connie with rubbish hooves! You just have to do what you can I think.

 

[catembi]

Wow, nice job with the hooves! You've made me start toying with the idea of learning. I have 5 barefooters and I have so much trouble trying to drag the farrier out! I have no idea why as I pay promptly, they are good to do, they always have clean, dry feet and legs for him and we are only 3 miles from a big comp centre where he has lots of clients. I do so much faffing with sole cleanse, field paste, b/f diet etc & it's irritating to see their feet starting to split as they're 3 weeks overdue... I am not sure that I'm brave enough though!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Catembi, it was a similar experience which pushed me into doing my own. It's not too difficult, but do set up with the right kit.

Ideally you'd take over after the hoof care professional has left the feet in a good state and before the feet are overdue for a trim, but circumstances don't always allow that. I try and do little and often, so a light trim every 10 - 14 days in summer.

After I'd already started out I then found this book, which I found to be very helpful, especially on how much height to leave on the heels and how to check medio lateral balance. It's a 'less is more' approach.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Ba...h_0_nodl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1624605640&sr=1-1

 

[Ownedby4horses]

We’ve been trimming our own for around 4 years now, made sense to learn after a few bad experiences with a farrier and then a barefoot trimmer leaving us with lame horses.

For anyone thinking of trimming their own. Do you research and ideally get someone to show you and watch every trim you can.

Jamie Jackson and Pete Ramey have some really great stuff out there to help, this is a very good book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Owners-Guide-Natural-Hoof/dp/0965800768

I agree, good tools are crucial. We have two stands made by a farrier, one with a half crescent to rest the hoof in (and comes with a longer and shorter piece) and another stand that we fitted a tennis ball to the top off, for trimming the foot forward. I use a safe edge rasp and then use the radial rasps to do the mustang rolls etc. Not had a lame horse or any cracks or chips since we started doing them.

 

[GreyMane]

Your tools look fab. I'm another who has been trimming my own for decades, and I'm a little jealous. It is hard work, for sure, but worth it to be able to just keep them right around your own schedule without worrying about appointments.

IME the most back-breaking is the Shetland - really need to have the dam thing up on a table!

Sounds like you need the new "Pinto-Matic" from JML.
(See "Git up Pinto" on Youtube for model)

... I'll get me coat.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Sounds like you need the new "Pinto-Matic" from JML.
(See "Git up Pinto" on Youtube for model)

... I'll get me coat.

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Fantastic! where do I order one? ? I have three tiny tots to do and agree, it is back breaking.