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About This Week’s Lesson

Join up with farrier lesson

By:
Mel - Ramsgate UK
Date:
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Our poor Barnabay (Shetland) has had really hot feet ever since the farrier did his last trim. Boxed him for 3 days and they settled a little bit, but he's due for the farrier again and his feet are still hot. I thought maybe laminitis, it's the season of sweet grass and have kept him off the grass as much as possible. Still no real change in the heat in his feet.
I thought I'd revisit Ada's lesson join up with the farrier, and thought again that what she is teaching I could do myself instead of a farrier that's got it wrong.
I've been told by too many people that it's illegal to farrier your horses feet in the UK, so setting the record straight after emailing the Farrier Association; it is only illegal in the UK to farrier your horses feet if they are to be wearing shoes of any kind. If performing a trim on your own horse without the need for shoes, this is acceptable. The email also stated how serious it is to trim your horses foot incorrectly and the lameness it can cause.
We've used several farriers, but not happy 100% with the results or the horses didn't like the farriers.
From doing it Ada's way myself, I noticed an immediate change in Barnaby's stance, from fidgety to relaxed and that was just with one of the front feet. By the time I'd finished all 4 he actually stood square on all 4 feet, something I've not seen him do before. When I was happy he was happy I let him into the field and he trotted off straight over to BamBam, bit him on the bottom and trotted off to his safe pen area. Cheeky but quite happy!!
This morning before letting him out of his pen, I checked his feet... Nice and cold, not a single bit of heat to be felt!
A big thanks to Ada & Thanks Monty for the introduction for happy feet.

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

Yes, thats right, it is illegal to trim for shoes or anything else being applied to the feet, but perfectly legal to trim for barefoot.
It is very easy to trim wrongly & each foot is different!!!
It's a long learning curve Mel, but if you try to take off less rather than more, it's safer. Ada's lessons are superb & have helped me greatly in doing Ebony's feet which are chronic laminitcs & so deform a lot; it takes some bravery to start to take off the big thick wedge of dead tissue toe.
One thing to be very aware of, is NOT to take the heels down too far cos you will cripple them!!!
That's why it's very important to start with getting the toe where it needs to be first as that's where you measure from.
If you google Pete Ramey, he has written many articles which are available free, which is very rare nowadays! He has a wealth of experience.

GregG
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks Mel for your post.

I have been having trouble with my new horse Alex. He's had his hoofs trimmed twice now that I have had him. He has real tender feet. The first time he was on Bute for two weeks. So I skipped forward to JOIN-UP® with the FARRIER lesson with Ms. Ada Gates. Something I notice right off the bat is, I have never seen a farrier use a measuring tool. Although I have seen and read a lot about “mapping the hoof”. In practice I've never seen anyone pull out a ruler.

So here is my my professional observation. No I'm not a farrier. I'm a 30 year journeyman carpenter with 10 years as a city building inspector. I've never built or seen anything built without a measurement. I've seen a lot of guys with a good eye but we all use measuring tools (tape, level, transit, protractor, framing square, plumb bob, etc.). In the lesson you see the center point of all horses hoofs is 3/4” (19mm) back from the live point (apex) of the frog. What I would call the foundation of the horse. Any trained person can see this and know it without thinking how much three quarters of an inch is.
However, it is impossible for the human eye to judge the distance from said center point to the toe and remember that distance in the mind. Let alone replicate that judged distant back to the heel (true side to side as well). Just Google “optical illusions length of lines”. You will see immediate that these illusions are based heavily on the addition of triangles (the shape of the frog and bars) and circles (the hoof and capsule). The human eye cannot judge distances within such geometric shapes as a hoof. It takes the proper measuring deceive to do so.

I think the idea of a horse having the natural build based on the “Golden Mean” (1:1.618...) is a scientific fact. So I'm now looking for a farrier that use Ms. Gates method.

Lucky me. I can use my 25' Stanley tape and a quick calculation of the ratio to actually see the measurements and if the horses hoofs are in balance.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

thanks Beryl, did BamBam today. for the farrier he won't stand still but for me today after I did his front feet first started to doze off whilst I did his back feet. He looked nice and balanced and stood square on all 4 feet afterwards. big result for him.
/
you're right Greg I've never seen a farrier use a measuring guide either. On BamBam today he measured 6cm to the toe and 4cm to the heel, at the widest part of the hoof he was 7cm to the outside and 5 to the inside, very unbalanced. I'm not sure of any farriers in the Uk that use Ada's methods.

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi GregG,
That was great, to read your professional approach!
It should help once more to convince a farrier to at least watch Ada Gate's lessons and make his own judgement....
Thank you for your contribution!
Keep the good work going,
Miriam

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

I'm totally with you Greg, none of my farriers have ever used this method & i doubt any of them have heard of it, I'm sure it's not taught in any college!
You are so right about not being able to judge the measurement by eye too; i've been trimming my own horses for 21 years & was pretty pleased with finding i was 1/8" out by eye when i made & used Ada's measure, BUT, the measure has made such a huge difference in trimming Ebony's laminitic feet, i always use it to check & her feet are much better & it's shown me just how much her toes need to be cut back to keep the foot in balance, as it's all too easy to take the heels down too far when the toe is left too long - please take note of this point if you are starting to trim your own horses anyone!

Well done Mel - the measurements you gave illustrate the point i've just made absolutely!

Some farriers have this idea that horses "need a lot of toe", they seem to be so worried that the toe will wear, well that's perfectly natural, the feet grow more with pressure ie, work, they don't grow as fast if they stand around in the field doing nothing all day!

GregG
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks everyone. Glad I could add something productive to the conversation.

Yesterday I looked at Alex's walk and measured his hoofs. Yes they were all out of balance but the last trimming must have had him in just horrible balance. Plus I think the farrier cut back to far into the back of his frogs. Seems to me, as I see it. With about 6 weeks of growth. His toe is just a little long and his heel is way forward. His frog is on the ground so that's good. The owner of the boarding ranch looked at Alex's hoof's too. I guess he couldn't help himself cus I was out there with the Stanly tape. He immediately said that Alex's hoofs were way long and need trimming immediately. Well I didn't say much. Just that the farrier was to be here this week. Funny thing is, Alex is walking better and feeling better than he has since I took him off the Bute. As for the Golden mean. He is only out 11%. So I am convinced Ms. Gates method it the right way to go.

As a carpenter I can't help myself. I'm gonna make one of the “Patton Hoof Ruler” and scissor caliper myself. The scissor caliper (if that's what its called) is for the Golden mean. One end just has to be 1.618 times longer that the other end from the pivot point.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks Beryl. I've popped an image on the Uni FB page of BamBam's feet. Before and after.
Big difference and he's not so fidgety now when picking out his feet.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152362359681103&set=gm.267982120048996&type=1&theater

Love your precision Greg! Are you on the Facebook group, would like to see a photo of your Patton Hoof Ruler when done!

Amberpony - California, USA
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Mel Saw your pics on the FB Uni Group. Nice change you have made. Bam Bam looks more comfortable for sure.

GregG = Wonderful perspective you have added. Thank you for a new look on trimming.

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

I'm not on Facebook so i can't see then unfortunately.

GregG
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Mel, I just sent a request to the Uni Group @facebook. I don't use facebook much, but do post from time to time.
Maybe today I'll make the Patton Hoof Ruler and scissor caliper. Don't have any white oak. Most of my hard wood is dark like walnut, ebony. My mahogany is the lightest. I think Poplar might be to soft. But I'll do the best I can.
Thanks everyone for your comments. I didn't know this old greeny could add much.

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

Hi Greg, I made the ruler out of a cheap plastic ruler & etched the 0 - 2 each way from the centre, It works fine.

Tiggy, Tears
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Mel, I can't find your photos? Might be my moby, will have a look on main site later!

GregG
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Beryl, that's great. Plastic is easy to work with, cheap and durable. I spotted a plank of old White Oak I've been using as part of workshop shelving. Gonna pull it tomorrow and whittle out a ruler.

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

yes, my 2nd attempt was better than my first but it was the first time I'd used a rotary tool!!!
the extension lead has now broken, so useless for etching - you get what you pay for!!!

It's well worth doing cos it makes trimming feet far safer for the horse.
Again, i stress the need for shortening the toe before taking too much off the heels!!

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Hi Beryl & Tiggy I've popped it on to Flickr so you should be able to view. x
.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniehetfield/13853158113/in/set-72157643961115643
.
Greg - Mahogany ones sounds good :D
.
Pye's turn today, when he has the farrier normally it's a very big fight and he knows how to kick and mean it. Front feet, went lovely until my daughter put the window wipers on on the car and spooked him like crazy. He did his best to avoid me though as I was half underneath him lol.
I let him feel his front feet for a moment, took him for a little walk, then prepared to do the back ones. I touched his rump and he lifted his foot and held it there for me :D
When I finished with the second hind, he re picked up his other foot and nodded to it, so I checked it and it, so I rechecked it and readjusted a bit. Off he went happy. :D Thankfully his feet were not too bad, he must have had a good farrier before we had him.

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

Look good Mel xx

Tiggy, Tears
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Mel, I think I've found you on fb, can you post on your page? Tried the link again & fb say it's broken & I'm not on Flickr (rtf is it??)

Amberpony - California, USA
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Way to go gettin another done.

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Tiggy my Facebook is Facebook.com/mhetfield
Drop me a msg when your on. I leave chat turned off but can still accept messages.
X

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

Had to trim Ebby's feet yesterday as her heels have grown 1/2" in 4 weeks (being a chronic laminitic, the heels grow much faster than the toes) using the measure & marking it is just so much faster & easier than trying to get it right be eye.
The worst part was having to use the hoof nippers on the excess wall cos she's scared she's going to be hurt, but once that bit was done, she's as good as gold.
She was a rescue pony with feet allowed to grow like Turkish slippers, so she's been through a hell of a lot of pain in her life.
I managed to do all 4 feet despite my fractured rib as this method does make it so much easier, I hope this is taken up by more Farrier schools!

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Interesting you say about the nippers, I found just using the rasp to get the desired trim was much easier and the boys seemed to relax more.
Poor ol Ebs, not fair and she's lucky to have you.
Hope the rib heals up soon!!!!

x

beryl
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

I hate having to use the nippers, mostly cos she hates it, BUT as i said, her heels have grown so much cos she's a chronic laminitic & i've not been able to do them with my rib as i could barely move my arms & no chance of rasping until yesterday. I don't normally use them as i rasp them every couple of weeks to keep them in balance; her feet are also blue feet & as hard as iron in dry weather so too much to rasp off this time.
Eb's often pretty hard work as she will lift the hind foot off the ground that's opposite to the front one you're trimming & lean her considerable weight on you!
I prefer to live & not have either my lung or heart punctured by a broken rib, so she's just had to wait longer than usual; she doesn't like to make my life easy - very native pony!!!!!!

she does love mummy really!!!
Thanks re rib; had some cranial osteopathy yesterday, ribs have been crunched down on each other hence pain in back & sternum, he's eased it considerably & i could actually lie on my back with 1 pillow last night AND put my arms above my head - Hurrah!! Still hurts though.

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