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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > Do horse shoes have to be heated to fit the hoof ? |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > Do horse shoes have to be heated to fit the hoof ? |
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| Do horse shoes have to be heated to fit the hoof ? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 28th, 2010 05:14 am |
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21st Post |
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kopterdoctor G.O.G Community Member 
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"I disagree also with the assumption that if a shoe stays on 6,8, or more weeks, that it was a well-done job. It could be, but I don't believe that it is a tell-all of a proper shod pony." Agreed, the amount of time a shoe stays on can be an indicator of installation quality but should not be the determaning factor of a "well-done job".
____________________ Rack on Drifter... |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 28th, 2010 01:52 pm |
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22nd Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member 
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Rockin H Transport wrote: You don't need to hot shoe to get a "better fit", that's just wrong. Which is why I said: "...CAN allow for a better fit.", not WILL allow for a better fit. I also stated earlier in this thread: "It is another tool for the farrier, but not necessarily always essential." I agree, a competent farrier can have a good fit either way. My personal preference is that my farrier is competent in both styles of shoeing, in the event one or the other may be applicable in any given circumstance. T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Sun Feb 28th, 2010 05:21 pm |
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23rd Post |
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MTRA872 G.O.G Community Member
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There are several reasons other than a bad fit that causes the shoes to loosen in less than 6-8 weeks, including the wrong size of nail, clinches placed too low, or clinches not tightened well. Whether shaped hot or cold, this is what I look for in a good shoeing job. The hoof is trimmed to the proper length and angle, and balanced side to side. A shoe appropriate to the horse's activities is chosen. The shoe is fit the foot, rather than the foot to the shoe. The foot and the shoe are both level when the shoe is nailed on. The appropriate size nail is used. Clinches are placed about 3/4 inches high and tightened properly. And finally, in appreciation of all those farriers out there whose work is back breaking enough; it doesn't matter how good they are, they cannot do a good job on a moving target! Don't expect a good job on a horse that won't stand quietly to get his feet done.
____________________ "And on the Seventh Day...we went trail riding!" |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 1st, 2010 01:52 am |
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24th Post |
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kopterdoctor G.O.G Community Member
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MTRA872 wrote: And finally, in appreciation of all those farriers out there whose work is back breaking enough; it doesn't matter how good they are, they cannot do a good job on a moving target! Don't expect a good job on a horse that won't stand quietly to get his feet done. Amen! This is the #1 reason why I do not shoe horses other than my own. ;)
____________________ Rack on Drifter... |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 07:50 am |
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25th Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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I found this thread while searching for something else. Before I go and piss everyone off, a little about me: I'm a working farrier and horse trainer. This is what I do, what I've grown up on, and what I know. I didn't marry or inherit money, then decide to join an obscure breed association or start competing in something most folks have never heard of so I can win. (versus, say, western pleasure on a quarter horse or jumping on a thoroughbred) The first idiot question read like this to me: "I was sitting around listening to my brain rattle around like a BB when it occurred to me! You know, the idiot hippie that's doing "natural hoofcare" (trimming a domesticated animal who was, in all probability selectively bred for pedigree, rather than hardiness in mind, in an attempt to imitate the feet of a feral animal, who has adapted to the environment through natural selection) Hasn't managed to cripple my horse yet, but I saw an ad in my magazine (most articles in these magazines are devoted to show attire or other useless crap) about some new product that purports to be natural, and it costs four times as much! I immediately called my trainer(who I met through another friend who never rides. I've never seen my trainer on a horse, but she claims to be part indian and own a couple of John Lyons books and a carrot stick, and is always mesmerizing me with talk of "natural this", and "natural that") to annoy him/her with my latest harebrained scheme. I have no actual knowledge on the subject, but the horse psychic on youtube endorses it, so I'm excited about it! Now, to do my research, I'm gonna get on a forum frequented by novices who also don't know anything, and, in all likelihood, haven't been on a horse in three years, to see what they think! (Just peed a little from excitement!) I almost thought to ask a knowledgeable professional like a vet or a certified farrier, but I got distracted by something shiny. Okay, if you're still reading, you have a sense of humor, or you're an idiot who actually does research before starting a pie fight! As a shoer, I actually just don't carry a forge because I rarely need it. It's not cost effective. I actually lost customers when I raised my prices $5 after TWELVE YEARS! Shoes are over twice what they cost then, and fuel has risen 30% in the last YEAR! For your average horse, keg shoes shaped cold are just fine. For horses that need corrective shoeing, keg shoes can be modified. It actually is just a real time saver to modify keg shoes, as there are so many different patterns of ready made shoes that there's no reason not to use them if they'll work. A lot of time, farriers make shoes from bar stock simply because we want the practice, and it's a good opportunity to improve our skills "in the fire". Plus, we charge a hell of a lot more for it. We actually CAN get a slightly better fit by hot fitting, but it's not THAT big of a deal. Growing up working on ranches, I've used horses in very extreme environments, shod both ways. You seriously don't need hot fitting for your pasture ornament to lope around a show ring once a week if I can use a horse with cold fitted keg shoes to drag a bull across a rock pile! You know that scene in "the man from snowy river" where he slides his horse down the nearly vertical hill? I've cowboyed in country almost that steep, and with more rocks, and never lost a shoe! You folks act like only shoeing a horse after six weeks is abuse! Shoeing more often than that is actually a bad thing, done too often; every time we drive a nail in the hoof wall, it damages it and weakens it. As for training... It's not the shoer's job! I don't give a damn how "pretty" or "spirited" he looks; I shouldn't be trying to shoe a moving target. Nails hurt when they get jerked through your leg or hand. (Guess how I know?) You're not gonna pay my bills while I'm crippled up, so don't bitch when I charge extra for a horse that takes all day to shoe! If the horse is on two legs half the time, that costs extra. If I decide he's too dangerous, you're gonna pay for the attempt. If you lied to me about him being gentle, that'll be extra. I know this sound kinda anti horse owner, but it ain't. I deal with owners who have well mannered horses and problem horses, too. They provide a safe place to work, and actually spend time with their horses. They don't screw with them while I'm working on them, don't bring out a bag of treats to distract the horse, they keep their dogs away, and don't feed everything else while I'm working. I don't have to watch their kids, and they don't have long, loud, animated phone conversations while they're supposed to be holding the horse and keeping me from getting killed. Well, I know this post is pretty provocative, but hopefully, it will cause some folks to actually stop and think. To those that get pissed about it, I really don't care. I hope I never meet you in a professional capacity. If I do, I'm gonna charge you for everything I can think of, from horses sneezing to too many flies.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 05:41 pm |
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26th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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Hi TM: Regarding hot vs. cold shoeing, you do what suits you and your customers' needs. I have had both well-shod cold and hot horses. When you are proficient with a forge, it allows you to create special shoeing packages and incorporate individual shoe modifications for a horse with acute hoof emergency's whether that be trauma or otherwise and etc etc...fill-in-the-blank. There are several different emergency situations that require very unique, innovative shoeing packages where a forge, glue, dental impression, banana shoes and on and on may need to be incorporated in an attempt to help and/or heal a problem hoof/hooves/tendons. A forge, and being proficient and experienced in it's use and applications as well as many other tools and continuing education, can only expand your professional business and knowledge in every day as well as unique circumstances. It's really no different from a General Physician vs. one who is further trained and excels in any of one or more different areas. Knowledge is power, you can never learn or be experienced enough. You do not offend me at all ;). I am very well aware of how fortunate I am to have the professional farrier that I do. He always has cold water, drinks, snacks, food, fans and a clean and very very well-behaved animal who awaits him fed, tied and ready for his appointment prior to my farriers' arrival in a clean, dry barn. In the winter time, there is always hot coffee; Christmas bonuses for both my farrier and vet are the norm. I understand the many frustrations farriers today must face. My pony is shod and even I sometimes get asked the question: "Why do you shoe your horse"? I told a lady about 3 weeks ago (or so) on the trail who asked me that exact question, that when I had my animal communicator out the other day, that she told me my horse told her he wanted shoes  ...I just got a dirty look.I do not have a problem paying my equine professionals their dues. If they are doing what they are supposed to be doing to the best of their abilities, I pay. Always. I have no 'running charge accounts'. I keep a special account just for equine needs and emergencies. They give outstanding service: I pay - simple as that. I am just a horse-owner who owns a horse that got into a bag of old treated rye-grass seed and had a bout of laminitis. I know nothing of the art of farriery except that black-smithing is just that - a very meticulous, intense and uniquely interesting and intricate body of work that is so often not fully appreciated nor understood. I read every single day, if only a little, on the practice of farrier work and each thing I learn reminds me of just how much I don't know about the mystery of the equine hoof. Regards, T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 05:46 pm |
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27th Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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Whatever you do, don't buy a forge and tools; you'll never stop playing in the fire, and folks will be forever pestering you to make them everything from hoof picks to drawer pulls and bowie knives.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 05:53 pm |
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28th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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Well, I DO have a very cool 'shoe knife' that a good friend made for me - but I didn't ask I swear. It's a old horse shoe soldered in half with the end shaped like an arrow-head. I use it to cut the hay bale strings  . Shoot, I know a couple of farriers who, during occasional down times, make very unique doo-dads that people just love and buy. It's a win-win situation! Go get you a forge TM and start making the big bucks, LOL!!!l1T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 05:56 pm |
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29th Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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It was bad enough when people saw my leather work; everyone wants free bridles, gunbelts......... Nobody seems to have any money.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 06:22 pm |
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30th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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Don't sell yourself short, whether that be for leather work or farrier work. Stick to your guns, produce what is in demand in good quality or either create your own niche. It will catch on. Here in GA, the equine industry is neck-in-neck with the number one industry of agriuclture - it's HOT, even in this time of economic turmoil. You must present something most others do not - farriers and trimmers here are as common as the Red Oak nut, but there are those who stand out. Adaptation, education, communication and diversity of abilities are your best friends. Do your best not to become bitter or jaded - there are a LOT of fantastic, appreciative horse owners out there who are in need of and searching for good farriers. I am not sure how long you've been a farrier, but the ones I know tell me it took years for them to create just the clientele base that suited them (which, gee, seems to be the folks whose checks aren't made of rubber and who have sane horses - go figure), but until then, they did have to deal with the clients and horses that other farriers had eliminated from their lists. Many horse owners do not realize it, but, and this is kind of funny I suppose, lots of farriers are the ones doing the firing! For the ones who have separated themselves as outstanding, DEPENDABLE, well-educated and diverse farriers, they have clients booked out 6 weeks in advance. I know, because I am one such horse owner. My pony gets shod every 5 weeks with the next appointment being set the day of the shoeing. T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 06:29 pm |
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31st Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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Actually, I plan to move back to Idaho and try to concentrate on ranch horses. I'd rather be happy than rich.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 06:36 pm |
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32nd Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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Idaho is beautiful, where are you now? My old Medic partner now lives in Idaho and absolutely loves it, always out in the wilderness somewhere rafting, fishing...whatever. Much luck to you in your travels. Don't forget, ranch horses have emergencies and special farrier needs too, might be a great time for you to 'dig your own well'. Regards and I hope you continue to participate here on our 'Ask A Farrier' forums. I'm sort of isolated as a shod-horse owner ;). Tina
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 06:38 pm |
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33rd Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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I know what ranch horses need. I just prefer to work on broke horses without having to trip over idiot owners.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12th, 2011 06:50 pm |
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34th Post |
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fireandice G.O.G Community Member
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I don't blame you one bit  T.
____________________ My pony knows all my secrets. I braid my tears in his mane and whisper my dreams in his ears. |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13th, 2011 01:19 am |
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35th Post |
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GypsySusan G.O.G Community Member 
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TM Horseshoeing wrote:Actually, I plan to move back to Idaho and try to concentrate on ranch horses. I'd rather be happy than rich. Where in Idaho? I'm in south central Magic Valley and would probably be interested in using your services if you are a barefoot trimmer - none of my horses are shod and never have been.
____________________ Susan http://www.gypsytrotters.com Phil 4:11-13, 19 Missouri Fox Trotters: To Ride One... Is to Own One. |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13th, 2011 03:37 am |
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36th Post |
TM Horseshoeing
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GypsySusan wrote:TM Horseshoeing wrote: Seriously. READ my post! I do NOT do barefoot. It's a crappy idea for a using horse.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28th, 2011 10:38 pm |
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37th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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Ever read the book 'How To Win Friends And Influence People'?
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