Whoever brought up the idea of using a cordless sander to trim feet

[Tiddlypom]

You are ruddy geniuses!

Frankly I thought that it was a bat sh1t nuts idea to start with, but today I’ve used a cordless sander of OH’s on 8 feet and it was brilliant! So quick, easy and controllable. Horses happy, me happy.

This is similar to ours, a Bosch, it’s shaped like an iron. Is this the type that people use? It’s not much louder than a set of cordless clippers.

 

[Welly Boot]

Think I'll stick to using my qualified farrier

 

[Beausmate]

Interesting. Which abrasive did you use? Old mare has extremely hard toes, and something to take that off would be great!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Think I'll stick to using my qualified farrier

My qualified farrier helped to train me to trim my own horses’ feet, and he approves of my work. Even the vet reckons that I do ok. I do have a full set of manual trimming tools including rasps, nippers and hoof stands, and the knowledge of how to use them, though strictly only on my own horses .

I used the coarse grade of sandpaper. It’s not too drastic at all, it’s steady work but it’s so much easier than wrangling a rasp.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Some farrier's or trimmers use them too. Usually it's a cutoff wheel style that I've seen used.

 

[Capalldonn]

That's mine.

The horses love it. Abrasion is smoother than with a rasp. A bit like using a glass file instead of a metal file on the nails, I guess.

 

[Goldenstar]

That’s such a good idea .

 

[Snowfilly]

Think I'll stick to using my qualified farrier

The last two farriers I’ve had have both had similar in their tool kit! Reckon it’s less jarring for the leg than a manual rasp if the horn is very hard, and it’s also easier on the farrier’s back.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

My horses hooves are hard. Which quickly dulls knives and you really have to work at then with a sharp rasp. When we get rain, they're not as bad. Using a sander of sorts would probably be gentler on everyone!

 

[HuskyFluff]

If that hadn't been you posting, I too would have thought it was bat sh1t nuts!

 

[AutumnDays]

Considering how badly I manage to do my own nails sometimes, I think I better pass on this idea... I don't trust myself!

 

[Wizpop]

I remember seeing an article recommending use of these a few years ago, so possibly more commonplace than we think!

 

[Tiddlypom]

That's mine.
View attachment 150156
The horses love it. Abrasion is smoother than with a rasp. A bit like using a glass file instead of a metal file on the nails, I guess.

That looks like a proper machine . Mine’s rather dinkier, I think.

The horses seemed to positively enjoy having their feet trimmed by the sander. They’re both older mares, 18yo and 23yo, and they would most definitely have let me know if they weren’t happy! They relaxed into it. I wouldn’t have continued if they objected.

This is it, not too big, though the battery was on charge so not attached.



The coarse grade sandpaper after being used on 8 feet.

 

[poiuytrewq]

What a clever idea!
Did it not shred the sheet quickly?

 

[Palindrome]

I have been looking into getting one (not the sander but the angle grinder) but the special disks for hooves were out of stock.

I think it is like for teeth floating, it is smoother for the horse with the machine than with the hand rasp because there isn't a jerking motion.

 

[Fransurrey]

I've been considering these. Trimmed my own for years, but my back isn't great, so I started using farriers. Switching to a new one next week as not impressed with current one, but I actually have an iron sander and they're easy to maneouvre (think it's corded, though).

 

[Red-1]

This is mine, with the boyfriend trimming...

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7404207328158879008

The horses much prefer it and the job is done much quicker.

 

[Red-1]

And the black horse too..

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7387885849309891872

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Red-1 that dapple grey is GORGEOUS

 

[PurBee]

Im still yet to get my pair acclimatised to electrical farriery!

I bought some diamond sanding bits for my fab rotary tool thinking how brilliantly easy it would make doing their feet.
Got mare in position, not tied up, just to guage reaction.
Stood 5 metres away from her and turned tool on, a tiny whizzing sound..
Mare promptly bolted away from the area!

Tried de-sensitising some more…
Eventually got closer to her…
Horray got a hoof lifted..
Touched tool upon hoof for 1 millionth of a second…
Mare bolted again because i suspect it tickled

It started raining, so just grabbed the rasp to get the job done that day!

The gelding, on the other hand, eagerly stomps towards a bucket full of flames to figure out what the amazing spectacle is!

The pair are like chalk and cheese you’d never guess they were related!

 

[Red-1]

Red-1 that dapple grey is GORGEOUS

He is, in soul as well as looks. This was him today.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7436871944164674848

But as far as the thread goes, both mine are functioning barefoot, including hacking without boots, and they have been done with the angle grinder for months.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Red, thanks for the videos .

Which make/model of angle grinder is that, and which discs do you use for hooves?

 

[Rowreach]

The cattle trimmers have used power tools practically since they were invented. I'm quite surprised they haven't caught on sooner for horse trimming.

 

[tda]

I'm trying to think what I can practice on first, a chunk of wood or something ☺ just get used to the weight of the grinder/sander and how quickly it takes hoof off

 

[Gloi]

I'd quite like a smaller version of that.

 

[Pinkvboots]

My qualified farrier helped to train me to trim my own horses’ feet, and he approves of my work. Even the vet reckons that I do ok. I do have a full set of manual trimming tools including rasps, nippers and hoof stands, and the knowledge of how to use them, though strictly only on my own horses .

I used the coarse grade of sandpaper. It’s not too drastic at all, it’s steady work but it’s so much easier than wrangling a rasp.

I've been using mine for quite a while now it's amazing and my farrier is on board with it so I will continue to use it.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I use the black and decker mouse it's £20 and it's fairly quiet both of my horse's are fine with it.

I'd quite like a smaller version of that.

 

[Red-1]

Red, thanks for the videos .

Which make/model of angle grinder is that, and which discs do you use for hooves?

Mine is a Makita cordless. TBH, it is too big for me, and I am happy for BF to use it. There was another thread about a month ago with a more lightweight one, which Screwfix also did, that someone else on HHO was using. There was a video with a farrier assessing both.

On that thread, there were details of the sanding sheets I use. They are circles of sanding flaps. Many flaps of sandpaper.

Ah, it was on Rigsby's thread, on this page... https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...ed-advice-photos.795026/page-84#post-15691037

I looked up the video...

 

[Red-1]

In fact, I was browsing Amazon, and this little one popped up. I may get it for myself!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0D44NN6BK/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A208R0JGNFNIHF&th=1

 

[Peglo]

@Red-1 BH eating the apple tree is too cute!!!