Well shod foot?

[oofadoofa]

Please can I have your opinions on shoeing? My friend made a comment the other day about my horse's feet, saying that the farrier had left his toes far too long. I was always told that if you drew an imaginary line down the middle of the horse's pastern, when looking side on, and down through the hoof, the front of the hoof should run parallel with this. This means that all horse's feet would look different according to their confirmation surely. Anyway, not a very good photo, but what do you think?

 

[Benjamin]

IMHO - I think your friend is right.

 

[ihatework]

I wouldn't mind seeing photos from other angles but my initial impression is that the toe is too long and possibly not enough heel support from the shoe.
But easy to criticise on a forum, best bet is to chat with your farrier or get a second qualified opinion

 

[spaniel]

Very difficult to make a comment without seeing the feet from the side.

 

[hellybelly6]

Agree with Ben and Jerrys, toe looks too long etc.

 

[RobinHood]

Yes the toe is defintely too long and there's not enough heel support.

 

[chillidragon]

As others have said, it does look long but it depends on how the hoof is put together (does he have deep or shallow feet? What size is his frog? What are his heels like? etc.) and those things will directly affect how the farrier shapes the hoof. It would be far, far better to get a farrier to have a good hands-on look in the flesh than to bother with any armchair judgement based on that one picture alone.

 

[oofadoofa]

Thanks Chillidragon. I do actually trust my farrier and I am sure there is good reason why he has shod my horse the way he has. I was just interested to hear other people's comments, after the comments made by my knowledgeable friend the other day. I will definitely speak to my farrier next time he is out and ask him lots of questions.

 

[Ezme]

Its hard to tell from that angle but it does look long but there could be method in the madness. Perhaps how the horse moves, horn growth, individual farriery style. Just have a chat along the lines of "why do you prefer to shoe in this way?" etc

 

[niagaraduval]

I totally agree with your friend. Those toes are way too long. Call the farrier back and make him to his job properly, also it would be helpful to see more pictures.

 

[oofadoofa]

Thank you Ezme. He shoes my other horse (a TB) completely differently, which does give me confidence as they obviously have completely different feet.

 

[highlandhart]

Your friend is right . The imaginary line is a concept that actually is the first two pages of a farrier text.

 

[oofadoofa]

Still minded to trust the qualified person's opinion.

 

[PapaFrita]

Does look too long but in a 'tall' kind of way rather than long toes, low heels. Hard to tell from that photo. Certainly not the worst job of shoeing I've ever seen!

 

[Donkeymad]

The whole hoof looks long rather than just the toe, but hooves do naturally vary in this way. As you trust your farrier, I'd go with his expertise.

 

[jess_asterix]

Just don't go getting him to take the toe back too much. If you horse is going well and is happy and he has changed the angle of his pastern then theres no need to worry.

My boys feet got chooped back to short and he wouldn't go at all!

 

[scotsmare]

I think that the toes are a good bit too long and it doesn't look like there is enough heel support - is the horse sound?

 

[Flame_]

[ QUOTE ]
Still minded to trust the qualified person's opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just because someone has a qualification it does not always mean they are any good! I'm not saying this is the case with yours but there are plenty of qualified crap farriers. I suggest using your own judgement, asking your vets opinion and don't just trust anyone.