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Posted by lee mc-shoes, Oct 18 2009, 09:41 PM
Hoof growth often becomes a common topic while I am working under a horse. How fast? How much? And especially coming into winter, many people ask if it is true that hoof growth slows during the winter months. Personally, I think there are other factors involved that make it appear as though the hoof is growing slower.
But first let me mention a few ideas concerning hoof growth in general. A typical hoof will grow about an inch every 3 – 4 months. (That’s typically a new hoof per year) Of course, if a horse is barefoot and on a hard surface this amount of growth is normally not observed because it is wearing off as it grows. “They” say the more a horse is exercised the faster the hoof will tend to grow. This theory is based on the idea that the frog is put into play and pumps blood and increases the growth. Over the years I have observed an increase in hoof growth in the fall. My theory is that the horse is growing a winter coat and since the hair and hoof seem to be related in nutrition (i.e. what is good for the hair coat is good for the hoof), whatever tells the horse to grow more hair in preparation for winter is, at the same time, growing more hoof. I would be interested to hear if others think this is true and if in the warmer climates the hoof tends to have no significant hoof growth change at any time.
As far as people thinking the horse hoof grows slower in the winter, I think, ......
for more information on this topic and other shoeing entries please visit my blog page at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com
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Posted by lee mc-shoes, Sep 7 2009, 09:40 PM
Well, as per usual spending much time being creative at the computer during the summer months has proved next to impossible. Here is a little thought on an age old hoof lameness.
Over the years the “N”–word has been changed-up a little, almost like the number of methods available to shoe for this lameness. There has always been an array of techniques with more added as the pathology is re-visited. I am talking about navicular, which now tends to be termed navicular-syndrome, heel pain, or anything but straight navicular. Which is all fine and dandy. My main concern is the method of shoeing or trimming to aid in the comfort or healing of the horse.
Please visit my blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com for further reading on this subject.
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Jul 31 2009, 04:18 PM
Summer here really hasn't been too hot, until the last couple of weeks. Shoeing has been busy and I haven't taken the time to post this month. I'd like to keep a flow going so thought I would post something on this last day of July. So I figured it could be about working in the heat.
I feel fortunate that all the places I've lived and shod horses have been in dry climates. Shade works wonders while working on a hot day. Shade from trees, horse trailers, houses, barns, and quite frankly even the horse itself definitely makes things a "shade" cooler  here in the West. Yep, I have been known to ask the horse holder to move the horse around so the side I am working on is in the shade! Often times I turn down the offer to go inside a three-sided shed to get away from the sun. If there is no circulation it can feel hotter than outside under the sun where maybe you can feel the slightest breeze.
I remember some clients I had that also showed beef cattle at the local fair and the steers would be in an enclosed stall with cooler fans going and I would be out in the hot corral shoeing!!
I love the clients that offer me a cold drink!
I've learned not to complain when it's hot. I always say that "if it isn't too hot, it's too cold, and if it isn't too cold the bugs are out, and if the bugs aren't out and it's not too cold, the horses are shedding hair all over me. And if none of the above are true it must be fall and that is the best season, so why complain."
gotta love shoe'n!!
Please visit my "official" blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Jun 19 2009, 01:03 PM
In reference to a June 2009Western Horseman article about the ethics of showing young horses, I’d like to make a comment from the hoof standpoint (no pun intended ).
Many times the soundness or lameness of the horse originates from the hoof. Thus when discussing the training and competing of young horses I believe it is essential to consider proper hoof care and soundness.
I have recently been doing a lot of trimming at a cutting horse barn of a nationally acclaimed cutting horse trainer. I say trimming for two reasons. First, they already have a shoer who has been with them for a number of years. Since I am new to the area and trying to re-build a cliental base, I introduced myself to this trainer and have since taken over trimming horses that the shoer just isn’t getting scheduled. Second, he and his wife believe that the young horses going through their first year of training don’t really need shoes because they are being ridden in a nice sandy arena and getting proper nutrition and exercise and trimmed on a regular basis. I believe the horses they raise and have kept barefoot into the horses three year old year have good, sound, as well as, healthy size (compared to many cutting horses) feet. Thus, in my opinion, less lameness issues tend to arise as these youngsters are pushed through the training they need to win at the National level. If a colt’s welfare is to remain the first priority, and their minds can take the pressure then once again reassess the old adage “no hoof, no horse”.
For more info on topics pertaining to horseshoeing and myself please visit my blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com
Posted by lee mc-shoes, May 20 2009, 10:35 AM
Did you know that the positions your farrier asks you to stand while he is working on your horse prepares you for your show season? Yup, the places you are instructed to position yourself while the judge is walking around you and your horse originate from safety precautions when holding a horse for the vet, the horseshoer, the chiropractor, etc.
So, if you visualize the reasoning behind where you need to stand when showing your horse at halter it may help you remember where to be when the pressure is on at the show. A couple of examples of where you should be standing while holding your horse for the shoer will help make this clear by pretending the shoer is the judge.
For more info please go to my blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com You can copy and paste this if it does not link you straight to the sight.
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Apr 18 2009, 10:19 AM
The American Farriers Journal sent out a query to me and probably 100+ other farriers to answer a few questions about what we as individuals use as hoof guidelines to accomplish a proper trim. In past blogs I have touched on the importance of a good trim as the base to good hoof care and shoeing. I thought I would make a blog entry on this poll question, as well as, send it into the magazine.
Now most shoers I know dont carry an x-ray or radiograph machine with them so we cant use what is inside the hoof to show us how to trim the hoof. However, once you learn more about the anatomy of the hoof, you learn there are certain outside structures that correlate with the inside structures, mainly the coffin bone, sensitive laminae. Individual shoers use different indicators to help acquire a proper trim.
for more please visit my blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Apr 2 2009, 04:56 PM
In the major scheme of things if the shoe-size fits wear it. The main concern when shoeing a horse is not particularly the size of the shoe, but properly trimming the foot then putting a shoe on that fits from the toe (or the desired breakover point) all the way to the heel buttress.
I think for many years some horse breeds wanted small hooves for a nicer look. And possibly various lameness arose from actually forcing the hoof to become small in appearance. Now, I believe the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and people are determined to have the shoer put the biggest size shoe possible on the horse. When in reality a good shoe job, one that not only looks nice, but also promotes the wellness of the horse from a hoof standpoint (no pun intended!!) is no better than the trim. ........
for more info on this please go to www.farrierfair.blogspot.com were I have this and other farrier related topics posted.
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Mar 18 2009, 10:05 AM
When confronted with a neglected chronic founder hoof, I really think the shoer needs to get aggressive and trim the hoof to look as normal as possible in size and shape.
Please go to my blog at www.farrierfair.blogspot.com For more info.
Posted by lee mc-shoes, Mar 9 2009, 12:21 PM
[font="Georgia"][/font][size="3"][/size] things to look for when you think you are trimming a hoof with what I call a "fake" sole. I had this blog as an external link to the blog I have previously set up , but have changed it to a local blog and will make an entry here when I make an entry on my blog. [url="http://www.farrierfair.blogspot.com"] So please go there for my entry on this topic.
Other entries have been on cracks. vet, customer, farrier relations, plus a few fun thoughts.
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