7
Just realized I've been missing something obvious about hoof angles
Had a long talk with an old timer at a clinic in Waco last week who pointed out I was setting my front shoes almost 3 degrees too steep because I was relying on the bars instead of the pastern. He said 'you're shoeing the shoe, not the horse' and it hit me different because I've been doing it for 8 years now and never noticed. Anyone else have a moment where someone pointed out a basic thing you were screwing up for way too long?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
shanef341mo ago
Fix the whole leg not just the foot" - that's what got me too. I was way too focused on perfect angles and numbers until a farrier pointed out I was ignoring how the horse moved and loading up. Started watching them walk more and adjusting less, made a bigger difference than any tool or measurement.
8
aaron_mitchell1mo ago
You ever catch yourself staring at a flat spot on the lateral wall and think "gotta fix that wedge"? That was me. Turns out the horse was just bracing against a sore shoulder. I started doing a quick walk-around before I even pick up a rasp - watch how they track up, look at which hoof lands first. Changed my whole process. Now I spend half the time on the foot and twice as long following them around the barn aisle.
2