Watched a guy at a ranch in Wyoming work a hoof with just a rasp and no nippers

I was out near Laramie last month helping a buddy with a big draft horse. This old farrier showed up with a beat up rasp and nothing else. He spent a solid 20 minutes shaping a front hoof on a Shire, never once touched nippers. Said he learned it from his dad who did it to save on tool costs back in the 70s. I tried it on a saddle horse this week and my hand is sore but the hoof looks cleaner than usual. Has anyone else run across a technique like this or is it just a regional thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_lee91mo ago

Pretty sure that method just wastes time and makes your hand hurt for no real reason.

ross.lily1mo ago

I hear you, but I’ve actually found it saves time in the long run because you don’t have to keep going back and fixing mistakes.

the_wendy1mo ago

The carpal tunnel fairy doesn't pay overtime, if you ask me... so yeah, that's a hard pass.