c/farriers

Showerthought: I just hit 500 horses shod this year, which I used to think was a pointless number to track.

Seeing it on my log made me realize it's not about bragging, it's about spotting patterns in wear and gait issues across that many animals, so now I'm a believer... anyone else find a specific number that actually helped your work?

A trainer in Kentucky insisted I never use a hoof stand for trimming.

He said it builds bad habits and weakens your back. I've used one for fifteen years without a single issue, and my back is fine. Anyone have a strong opinion on this, or is it just old-school thinking?

Remembering that crazy week in Cheyenne with the draft horse rescue

We trimmed and shod 17 horses in three days, and my old rounding hammer finally gave out on the last hoof. What's the most horses you've ever worked on in a single day?

Just realized how much a horse's weight changes their hoof growth

I was reading an old farrier journal from the 90s and it mentioned a study where draft horses grew hoof wall almost 30% faster than lighter breeds. Found it in a stack of papers at my uncle's place in Kentucky. It makes total sense now why the big guys need trims more often. Anyone else adjust their schedule based on the horse's size?

Heard a trainer in Kentucky talk about hoof balance and it clicked

I was at a clinic in Lexington last month and a horse trainer was explaining why her jumper kept stumbling. She said, 'It's not the shoe, it's the breakover point being two millimeters too far back.' I'd been thinking about angles, but that specific spot made me look at my own work differently. Now I mark it with a pencil before I even pick up the rasp. Anyone else focus on breakover more than they used to?

Hot take: that 'quick' quarter crack fix in a draft horse took me 4 hours yesterday

Was working on a big Belgian in Redmond. The crack looked straightforward, but the hoof wall was way more brittle than I thought. My usual bar shoe and acrylic just wouldn't hold. Ended up having to do a full resection and a heart bar, which I haven't done in ages. Anyone else get totally blindsided by a hoof's condition like that?

My 3 year old anvil stand finally gave out on me yesterday

The whole thing just split down the middle while I was working on a draft horse in Bakersfield, and I had to finish the job with the anvil on the ground. What's the best way you guys have found to build a stand that won't fail?

My old boss told me to always use a 12 gauge nail for quarter cracks, and I'm not sure he was right

When I was just starting out, the guy I worked for in Lexington was dead set on using a 12 gauge nail for any quarter crack repair, no matter the horse or the crack. He said it gave the best hold without putting too much stress on the hoof wall. For years, I did it that way and it worked okay. But last fall, I had a big warmblood with a nasty vertical crack, and a vet I was working with suggested a lighter 15 gauge nail higher up on the wall, paired with a good acrylic patch. The result was way less movement in the shoe and the crack grew out cleaner. Now I'm stuck thinking, is the heavier nail just an old-school rule, or is there a time and place for both methods? What's your go-to for a bad quarter crack?

Showerthought: Why staying silent on stress hurts farriers

I know a farrier who bottled up his worries for years. When he finally took a break, some said he was weak for doing so. I think that view is harmful and outdated. We should encourage more open chats about the pressure we face. It makes the job safer and saner for everyone.

After my check-up, the physio mentioned farriers and core strength

A strong core prevents a lot of the back pain we deal with.

Back when every farm had its own anvil, we'd swap stories while the iron cooled.

Now it's all mobile rigs and quick jobs, no time to chat.

A workshop in Oregon changed my idea about anvil weight

I always figured a heavier anvil was better for all shoeing jobs. After traveling to a farrier workshop in Oregon, I saw how a lighter one can speed up work on ponies. The instructor showed techniques that made trimming easier with less bulk. Now I keep a lighter anvil in my kit for smaller horses.

Always brushed off checking for thrush in dry weather... not anymore.

I figured if the hoof was dry, thrush wasn't a thing to worry about. Had a pony last month that seemed fine, but I didn't poke around the frog like I should have. Owner called back saying it was tender, and sure enough, there was a nasty spot hidden deep... That one missed check cost the pony comfort and me a redo. Now I look every time, dry or not.

Rearranged my forge space and found my rhythm

I used to have my tools all over the place. Now I keep them close and my work goes smoother. What setup changes have helped you?

Adjusted my anvil stand height and wow

Honestly, I never thought a few inches would matter so much. My back feels way better after a full day of shoeing, and the strikes are more accurate too.

Fitting shoes for problem feet: make them or modify store bought?

Just worked on a draft horse with collapsed heels. Had to shape a shoe from scratch. It fit like a glove but took all morning. My neighbor farrier only stocks premade shoes. He bends them a bit and calls it good. Saves him tons of time on the road. I feel the handmade route gives better support. He says clients don't notice the difference. Who's right here? Do you craft your own for tough jobs or tweak what's available?

Finally got my hoof knife drawer sorted after years of chaos

It took a weekend, but now everything has its place. NO more digging around for the right blade!

Appreciation post: My quick fix for keeping hoof picks easy to find

I kept misplacing my hoof picks after jobs, which wasted time and money. Now, I tie a piece of bright orange paracord to each handle. It stands out against dirt and grass, so I spot it right away. I started this after losing three picks in one week. It costs almost nothing and takes seconds to do. This little change has saved me from buying new picks so often. Try it if you have the same problem.

DAE have a quick warm-up routine to avoid getting stiff from all the crouching during hoof work?

PSA: Hand forging my own hoof knives sharpened my whole approach

Picked up blacksmithing to make custom knives for trimming last fall. Working the metal myself taught me angles and balance no store bought tool could. Now my cuts are cleaner and the horses stand calmer because I get the feel right. Sure, it takes extra hours, but that hands on time makes you connect with the work on a deeper level. If you stick to off the shelf gear, you're missing a key piece of the puzzle.

Why does nobody talk about the mess when shoe orders come in wrong?

My latest shipment had shoes for different hoof shapes all jumbled together, and now I have to sort through them before my next appointment.

Vent: A routine shoeing job dragged on for hours thanks to a stubborn nail

Had a regular appointment to shoe a calm mare yesterday. One nail just would not come out clean, it was bent and stuck deep. I spent over an hour just on that single nail, trying different tools and angles. My whole schedule got thrown off because of that delay. Maybe double check your nail puller's grip before you start, it could save you a ton of time.

My decorative horseshoe design got a thumbs up from the client

Seeing my creative touch work in farriery is so rewarding!

The push for adhesive hoof wear is getting out of hand in my area.

I mean, maybe it's just me, but I keep getting calls for glue-on shoes instead of proper nailed work. It feels like horse owners are just jumping on a trend without knowing if it's right for their animal. Are we letting fancy new stuff replace tried and true methods?

If you're planning a mountain job, test your gear first.

I learned the hard way that propane doesn't burn right above 10,000 feet. It made shaping shoes a real struggle. Bring a portable forge or extra fuel to be safe.