Question about using a small grinder to fix a stubborn clinch on a draft shoe

I was working on a big Percheron last month, and the clinch on the inside quarter of the front shoe just would not set right. I tried the usual, rasping and hammer work, but it was like hitting a rock. Out of ideas, I grabbed my small 4.5 inch angle grinder with a worn-down sanding disc. I gave the very tip of the nail a light touch, just enough to thin the metal a bit without taking off too much. Went back with the hammer and it folded over clean as you please. Some guys say using any power tool near the hoof is a bad habit that leads to sloppy work, but others think a controlled touch with the right disc can save a lot of time and frustration on a tough job. What's your take on using a grinder for a quick fix like that, or is it always better to stick with hand tools?

3 comments

3 Comments

river3209d ago

Used to be firmly in the "never ever" camp myself. Saw a guy ruin a hoof wall with a grinder once and swore them off. Then I had a clinch on a shire that just laughed at my hammer. A mentor showed me the worn disc trick, exactly like you described. It's not about replacing skill, it's about solving a problem the hand tools can't crack. The key is that light touch, just thinning the metal. Makes all the difference.

mason.brian6d ago

Except that worn disc trick is still a grinder, and it's a slippery slope. You start thinning one tough clinch, next thing you know you're reaching for it on a standard shoe because it's faster than a hammer. That's how skills get lazy and hooves get nicked. Some problems are meant to be solved with sweat and a bigger hammer, not a shortcut.

mary_martin229d ago

My old farrier would have called that a cheat, but he also had knuckles like bags of gravel. If a worn disc gets the job done without heating the nail or touching the hoof, I say go for it. Just don't let my mentor see this, or I'll never hear the end of it.