bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
Interesting so are you basically just tidying up the edges with the sander & how often do you sand them compared to having a trimmer out every 6 weeks?
Whoever brought up the idea of using a cordless sander to trim feet
- Thread starter Tiddlypom
- Start date
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
I do them around the 2 or 3 week mark and my farrier comes every 5 or 6 weeks.
bubsqueaks
Well-Known Member
That's interesting so you still have the farrier - I will chat to my trimmer on her next visit - thank you
Surbie
Well-Known Member
My farrier's told me to rasp each week, taught me how and comes every 5 weeks to check that the balance is ok and look for changes in wear patterns.
I really like the idea of a cordless sander/grinder. I have a small rasp (the diamond mini) but my horse might be having an issue with one knee - he's fidgeting now on that leg, so anything that means less sideways joint movement would be good. I do think he will leg it at least the first few times it comes near him though...
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
Trip to b&q required to inspect small sanders 
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
I now do all my own trimming, and have done so for over 2 years. This was not entirely planned, the farrier was coming out every 12 weeks to trim and to check my own trimming. Although he’s a great farrier he’s chronically disorganised, and has periods of going AWOL due to home life issues.
After being let down yet again with no replies to my calls and messages I decided that flying solo and trimming weekly was the way to go, rather than waiting on for yet another no show by a professional.
Weekly trims are much easier for a lay person to keep on top of the hoof balance, and also better for the horse than more drastic trims every 6+ weeks.
Up to using the sander for the first time yesterday I’ve been using conventional rasps and nippers - I’ve got a full kit of decent pro quality trimming equipment.
Reacher
Well-Known Member
I am in a similar position. Started trimming under guidance in between 6 weekly trims, which became 8 weekly, which became longer period due to covid etc and now they don’t travel to me due to distance and personal situation . Gave up on the local farriers. I only use a rasp, not nippers, I try and do it weekly as ridden horse ‘s feet grow fast and are very hard.
I’d like to use some sort of sander / angle grinder if it was light weight, not noisy, easy to use with small creaky hands, and was of a design that an unexpected movement by the horse wouldn’t result in a catastrophe.
My dad offered me an old corded angle grinder but it was VERY LOUD!
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Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I have been trimming my own for years, starting with farrier assistance but then moving on to do it myself. Farriers and vets have all said their feet are great.
When I met my boyfriend, he was shocked at how much hard work it is. He watched a Youtube video and asked if he could do them to save me a job. I was initially cautious, but he is a craftsman and trimmed beautifully from the first time.
He asked me to buy an angle grinder and at the time I had no idea what it was for. He was doing several DIY projects at the time and, TBH, I had no real idea what an angle grinder was.
The horses like it, it is so quick and doesn't drag back and forth. They are used to clippers, the noise is no worse than that. I do now plait the tails up as there is a small risk of the sandpaper flaps catching.
I tried to use his angle grinder once, it is too heavy for me and my grip isn't big enough. If ever he stops doing their feet, I'll be buying a mini version.
When I met my boyfriend, he was shocked at how much hard work it is. He watched a Youtube video and asked if he could do them to save me a job. I was initially cautious, but he is a craftsman and trimmed beautifully from the first time.
He asked me to buy an angle grinder and at the time I had no idea what it was for. He was doing several DIY projects at the time and, TBH, I had no real idea what an angle grinder was.
The horses like it, it is so quick and doesn't drag back and forth. They are used to clippers, the noise is no worse than that. I do now plait the tails up as there is a small risk of the sandpaper flaps catching.
I tried to use his angle grinder once, it is too heavy for me and my grip isn't big enough. If ever he stops doing their feet, I'll be buying a mini version.
nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
The Americans have been doing this for years. I agree with the concept only drawing the line when the horn is sanded smooth all the way up for cosmetic purposes which imho weakens the structure for no good reason.
My back is so dire and I trim my own but am not sure Rooni would tolerate it!
My back is so dire and I trim my own but am not sure Rooni would tolerate it!
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
I prefer to take a rasp at least once a week, and perhaps do both fronts on one day and the hinds on another! So, spreading the load. A bit like a robot lawn-mower, take off a millimetre every day.
Using those tools would scare me - and definitely scare the pony!
Using those tools would scare me - and definitely scare the pony!
Asha
Well-Known Member
The idea of an electric grinder on horses hooves just feels wrong to me. Its the sort of thing id expect to see on the dodgy dealer pages I much prefer to leave my horses feet to my farrier. He comes every 3 weeks so keeps an eye on all of them.
Arzada
Well-Known Member
Yet here we are on HHO with at least 3 responsible respected posters, paddy555, Tiddlypom and Red-1 saying/showing that they use a sander or grinder.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
But do you feel better knowing it is a sandpaper disc I'm using, not a cutting blade?
VictoriaSponge
Active Member
What a fabulous idea! I certainly know a lot of farriers that suffer with work related pain too, I wonder if adapting this would help to avoid that in the long term.
In many ways I suppose it’s no different to using clippers once you’ve got the knack.
In many ways I suppose it’s no different to using clippers once you’ve got the knack.
Asha
Well-Known Member
and thats their perogative. However, it doesnt sit well with me regardless of who has said it.
Asha
Well-Known Member
Not really no.
i just have visions of less experienced people 'having a go' . Makes me shudder. Perhaps im just stuck in my ways. I think hooves should be left to qualified professionals.
twiggy2
Well-Known Member
I have been looking into this for doing my fillies feet, we use a grinder for sheep's feet sometimes and its a much better finish and much easier on our backs, the sheep seem to object less too.
Lots of prep for Dyllis as she hasnt had much motorised exposure
Lots of prep for Dyllis as she hasnt had much motorised exposure
CanteringCarrot
Well-Known Member
Again, there are qualified professionals that use sanders. I do know a farrier that does a lot of heavy horses (drafts) that finds such a tool extremely useful.
Honestly though, any idiot can do any type of damage with anything. We've seen plenty of hoof damage around HHO from "qualified farriers" and individuals using "traditional tools."
When I first learned about the use of such a tool for hoof trimming, I did go, "hmm" for a minute, but then I learned and saw a bit more about it.
Of course everyone is free to have their opinions, and if something (such as using certain tools or a certain farrier) isn't broken, then don't fix it I suppose.
Honestly though, any idiot can do any type of damage with anything. We've seen plenty of hoof damage around HHO from "qualified farriers" and individuals using "traditional tools."
When I first learned about the use of such a tool for hoof trimming, I did go, "hmm" for a minute, but then I learned and saw a bit more about it.
Of course everyone is free to have their opinions, and if something (such as using certain tools or a certain farrier) isn't broken, then don't fix it I suppose.
Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
Over the years, I’ve had multiple farriers ive had to either stand over and watch them minute by minute to make sure they do it right, or who have made such a bad job of it that I’ve told them never to come back. A piece of paper and some qualifications do not mean that you’re doing good work now you’re out on your own with no oversight.
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
There’s quite a few of us who do a very good job looking after our horses’ feet.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
The times when my horses’ feet went badly out of balance were under the regular care (every 4 - 6 weeks) of two different local training farriers and one qualified barefoot trimmer 
.
I do think that every horse owner ought to be prepared and able to do at least a little tidying of unshod feet in between visits of whichever flavour of foot care professional they use.
Like many owners, I started with a hand me down rasp from the farrier, then I got a radius rasp, and it went on from there.
My vet was rather
at the thought of me taking over the trimming full time, but she knows of the issues that I have had with the farrier and she did laughingly say that I am making a better job of the trimming than she would.
Btw the sander I used is just an oscillating plate of coarse sandpaper.
.I do think that every horse owner ought to be prepared and able to do at least a little tidying of unshod feet in between visits of whichever flavour of foot care professional they use.
Like many owners, I started with a hand me down rasp from the farrier, then I got a radius rasp, and it went on from there.
My vet was rather
at the thought of me taking over the trimming full time, but she knows of the issues that I have had with the farrier and she did laughingly say that I am making a better job of the trimming than she would.Btw the sander I used is just an oscillating plate of coarse sandpaper.
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Surbie
Well-Known Member
I appreciate it might not sit well with everyone, irrespective of whether you use a rasp or a sander.
I'm not suggesting I am freestyling and just having at it on a whim. I don't think anyone would be recommending that. My farrier can find it difficult to come more frequently and Arch needs regular rasping to keep his feet in good nick. Like @Tiddlypom my farrier gave me a used rasp to begin with and taught me what to do & what to look for inbetween his visits.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
I've always given them a bit of a tidy up between visits especially Arabi as his hooves grow so much.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Alot of farriers in Europe use grinders on horses feet.
My farrier showed me what to rasp you just take off the excess wall and make sure they look even all round, I started doing it because Arabi's hooves grow really quickly and he doesn't cope well with long toes so he showed me how to keep them in shape so I just do them once in between a 5 or 6 week visit.
Asha
Well-Known Member
I totally agree not all farriers are good regardless of qualifications/experience . Ive had to change farriers due to poor work. But there are plenty that are . It’s the same with every profession.
I guess I’m lucky as my well respected vet recommends my farrier .
Each to their own I guess !
Asha
Well-Known Member
I totally get where you are coming from .
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
Not round here, we have one who likes the bottle too much, one whose mental health struggles means he disappears for weeks on end, and one who never shows up (my YO has been waiting 7 weeks for him, despite him telling her several times he’s coming “tomorrow”
And they don’t even need to be qualified over here.
Fjord
Well-Known Member
I've never thought of a sander but that's a great idea. Angel doesn't like the sensation of a rasp on her back feet, I wonder if this is something I could get her used to? Her trimmer might appreciate it!
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I use the Milwaukee shown in post 28. I spent a long time researching them. To me the Milwaukee has everything, light, very easy to use and most of all has a paddle switch. I wouldn’t want a switched machine.
I also use an FFP 2 mask and goggles. IMHO not safe without.
Horses are no problem. Didn’t give them any intro. Just got on and did it.
I also use an FFP 2 mask and goggles. IMHO not safe without.
Horses are no problem. Didn’t give them any intro. Just got on and did it.
Cragrat
Well-Known Member
Grinders have been used for years by pro's and owners. I agree that the paddle switch is a safer option, and most, but not all, seem to use the flap discs.
I have been trimming my own for 20 odd years, for all the reasons mentioned above. To me the primary advantage is being able to do little and often, thereby avoiding the hoof getting long/unbalanced, and then the periodic big change back to a better shape. I buy decent rasps like Heller Legend, and they can remove ALOT of hoof in one go if you are too agressive with them, so I haven't got around to a grinder, yet. I have to admit this thread has made me think again. I have a donkey who is a) not keen on being rasped he doesn't like the wiggle on hos hoof, and b) low to the ground which makes him more awkward to trim and it seems to take ages, trying both our patiences. I think a grinder would be appreciated by us both.
I have been trimming my own for 20 odd years, for all the reasons mentioned above. To me the primary advantage is being able to do little and often, thereby avoiding the hoof getting long/unbalanced, and then the periodic big change back to a better shape. I buy decent rasps like Heller Legend, and they can remove ALOT of hoof in one go if you are too agressive with them, so I haven't got around to a grinder, yet. I have to admit this thread has made me think again. I have a donkey who is a) not keen on being rasped he doesn't like the wiggle on hos hoof, and b) low to the ground which makes him more awkward to trim and it seems to take ages, trying both our patiences. I think a grinder would be appreciated by us both.