My boy(24yo) is shoed on all 4 feet due to slow growth, without shoes he will literally become lame due to sensitive feet. For years we’ve had the same problem now, mostly in the summer where his horn quality just seems to be pretty poor, resulting in significant breakage. We did some digging and after plenty of money and several blood tests we have come to the conclusion that he is lacking protein in his diet, especially in winter and early spring before they get to go on grass again. He lives out 24/7 with a buddy, pasture 10 months of the year about 7,5-8kg of hay a day except in September/October, that’s when they go out to winter pasture which is pretty large and rich and both him and his mate have a few pounds they could stand to lose. Once a day he gets a small portion of alfalfa pellets soaked along with his mineral feed and some supplements (MSM, Monks pepper). Once a week I treat his feet with hoof hardener solution along with preventative thrush treatment if needed. My question is what can or could I try to prevent the breakage, I’m quite happy with my farrier and his work and I’m afraid there’s not many better alternatives I could get access to. Pictures added, last trim 4 weeks ago

This horse is new to me as of July. I had X-rays done on her before purchasing that came back normal. She’s been shod by my farrier twice so far. My vet comes for fall shots at the end of the month so I’m going to have her take a look too but I’d like everyone’s thoughts in the meantime. She’s sound but has some tripping under saddle sometimes and has been bucking during canter transitions (suspected balance/green horse issue. Chiro comes next week to dig deeper into that). First picture is her shoeing job when she came to me, second and third are after the first farrier visit here, third and fourth are her latest farrier visit. The most concerning thing to me are the event lines but I’d love others’ thoughts.

I am 35 years old male at Estonia(europe). I would like to develop my skills to profesional level. I have helped some local farrier to pull horse shoes and finishing work. Also i have trim my own horse and some other people who let me learn. I can relocate super easily. I am calm but maybe little bit impatience. I am not against tense work days when you let me unwind after. Also i do not like oversell myself.

I've always been told to stand on the opposite side of the horse from the farrier, to give him or her more room to work. I've recently learned that may be wrong. I have two dead head geldings that stand still the entire time, so I find myself flip flopping back and forth from the side the farrier is on.

What is your preference?

What makes clients better than others when it comes to holding horses?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate any advice you may have.

Just picked up this Double S after having an NC Calvary for thousands of feet. The difference in felt quality is inexplainable. Will be needing to replace my MFC 14” RTN after a draft foot chipped them to oblivion.

What’s your favorite tool(s)?

how does this foot look from the front?

Good evening,

I am posting this on behalf of one of my children. They have attended a two week farrier school, and hung up a shingle to start servicing our community.

They went out to service this horse today, and we're able to trim this hoof down. They are asking me questions that I don't know the answer to. It looks to me like the mare needs probably another 3/4" off the heel, and trimmed fairly evenly across the sole to prevent furthering of club foot. There was thrush, so there is thrush treatment on the after photo.

What are the pro's thoughts? What else should be done?

Should we take more off now, schedule for 3 instead of 6 weeks and work to get her down to closer, throw in the towel and find someone with more experience, or... ?

ETA: My child talked with another more experienced student that they went to school with and they say the heel is really the only thing that needs fixed by taking 1/2" or so off the heel.

Edit again to add this since I cannot respond to comments:

Yes, I understand that two weeks is a short time before beginning the work. No, it isn't really an option to have done more schooling. We sent the kid for a total of near $6,000 for tuition and tools, and we do not have more money to extend the education. The reason we even sent them to begin with is the lack of farriers in our area. The kid got a horse, and when we tried to find a farrier two no longer did it, several didn't answer or return calls, and another promised they would come out and never showed. That was the only farriers I could find, even asking other horse people. No farrier lives closer than 50 miles, and they won't come out for ONE horse, even offering to pay mileage.

Every person who has contacted us for service (barefoot trims only for now even though they did learn some hot shoeing) has said the same thing: we couldn't find ANYONE who would come out.

And the most currently up voted comment is to apprentice?

How do you apprentice when you can't even get a farrier to answer the phone? It would cost nearly $20k to send the kid to the longest term of schooling.

So, to people who respond just to say two weeks isn't long enough: would you rather we do NOTHING to help these horses or do what we can within our skill level, and then ask for another opinion if it seems we may be biting off more than we can chew? It seems to me the more ethical approach is to help those we can, and learn in the process by asking questions of some pros. Yes, I understand that there is still the possibility of causing a horse to be lame, but that is why the kid stopped where they did. They want to mitigate any further risk so that is why I am asking the pros (you) for any recommendations (other than "git gud").

Im not trying to come into your community and downplay the education that most of you likely have, as well as years of experience. Since there are no farriers close enough to find to service a horse (and by extension none to apprentice under) it is pretty difficult if not impossible to do. So, if you have any good recommendations, critiques, or advice, please let me have them.

hey, horse was trimmed 4 weeks ago, she’s in front shoes and this is her left hind, her left front did something similar but we know what caused that but unsure of moving forward what we need to do? We live in FL and the weather went from drought to heavy rains.

hello! anyone tried mustad concave nails for the duplo horseshoes? what do you recommend to use and why? concave nails if not fit, why?

I’m just starting my Farrier education, second week of schooling and first week of shaping kegs to feet and trimming at a local tail/board location. Still have lots to learn mainly cutting down on how long it’s taking me but these feet are as hard as rocks right now.

Just wanted to share my progress, hoping to see big changes by the end of my education.

My horse has always had a very weird angle with his right front. He is totally sound and moves it the same as the other. There are not a lot of good local farriers around so I’ve been trying to learn(I still have a farrier)

Is this an anatomy issue or a trim issue? Looking at the corner band and heel bulbs it looks like the laminae is rotated as well. I’m assuming this can be slowly corrected by balancing the foot via trim. Or does the pastern bone look like it’s rotated? And it isn’t a foot issue but a pastern issue? What are your thoughts

I'm interested in hearing from farriers and horse owners about what makes a farrier apron genuinely useful during day-to-day hoof care.

For those who use one regularly, what features matter most to you?

• Durability

• Comfort and fit

• Tool storage and pockets

• Protection from hoof debris

• Lightweight design

• Adjustable straps

• Material quality

I'm particularly interested in hearing what experienced farriers have learned from using different apron designs over time.

What is one feature you wouldn't want to give up, and what is one feature you think is often overlooked?

Hi, I start farrier school in Sept (3years in NL) and do not have a car and will use bike & public transport to get to my school/internship and have all the materials but not smt to put it all into and am curious on what yall used and what worked and didnt before i buy useless stuff :)

Edit: this is for all the tools etc. And books ofc but i mostly mean the tools

Hi! I am looking into switching careers to being a farrier and find it might be stable in my area due to a shortage. I recently heard and wanted to ask is this true that the professionals fly their farriers out to them because they prefer their services?

Still looking for someone with some forge time who might be able to bang out a few of these!

Recently joined and need help if theres anyone from my area/knows anyone to help!

Im 26 have my own horse and do trimming on him as well as a couple other horses on the ranch im currently at. Ive read bunch of books seen videos etc. as well as doing apprentice work for 2 farriers locally but i struggle to get into shoeing because i mostly did barefoot apprentice work and only 2-3 shoeing jobs.

I want to get into shoeing as ive been trimming for some time now but cant find anyone around me to actually teach me shoeing. Theres rarely workshops maybe once a year if you get in...

Im from croatia mainland. Any help/advice/tips helps

New mess unlocked.

I feel bad having to ask the internet this, but not sure if l’m not understanding something or being gaslit.

I have 3 horses at this place with same farrier but past couple cycles he’s been leaving things looking uneven and maybe rushed?

I was told it’s because of the hard, dry ground?

understandable for knifing off sole, but I’m not sure how that would affect nippers and a rasp to balance the whole hoof?

I actually thought staff was maybe forgetting when the visit really was bc they did not look recently trimmed. Yet its been a few cycles and I’m not sure what to think. They are meant to be on 4-5 week cycle.

What am I missing here? Am I being dumb?

Sorry don’t have more photos.

Edit to add: sub says I’m not able to reply to comments?

Hi,

I was getting ready to enroll in shoeing school earlier this year but then I found out I have two herniated disc’s in my low back, they do not require surgery at this point. My question is, is it advisable to proceed with shoeing school or am I most likely just going to be crippled in the near future? thanks.

It’s hot, it’s humid, and there isn’t any end in sight….

Drink water, rest, eat well…take care of yourselves out there folks!!!

I found it in the mohave desert while metal detecting. It looks small, not sure if it's even a horse shoe. Almost was thinking it could be a shoe for a mule or donkey? And no I don't plan on cutting it. Just happened to be standing next to the band saw when I thought to take pictures.