The Trim vs Shoe Debate From A Farrier’s Perspective

Phrases like “shoeing is abusive” or “horses are barefoot in the wild” can easily sway inexperienced horse owners to keep their unsound horses trimmed instead of reaping the benefits of shoeing. Anybody that is any good at anything knows there is never “only 1 way” to do something! Trimming and shoeing horses are no exception.

Techniques used on one horse may not work on another horse. Trimming and shoeing guidelines are developed by professionals with decades of experience. Studies on angles, depth of sole, breakover, flight phase and landing phase are crucial in understanding hoof biomechanics.
Lack of finances could be a reason to pursue keeping a horse barefoot, but barefoot trimming may not be conducive to the horse’s performance. Novice riders that do not have the feel to detect lameness should be aware of the type of footing their barefoot horse is required to work in. Horses may respond differently to variances in footing and riders must become sensitive to the wear and tear they are causing the feet.

On the other hand, more experienced riders might be able to accurately evaluate soundness when the horse is being ridden. They may know what to look for in a quality trim and their horses may do quite well under the right circumstances.

Pros of the Barefoot Trim

A well balanced trim

The Barefoot horse movement advocates a natural approach to horse care, encouraging lengthy turnout on hard, wet, and uneven ground, to aid in blood circulation within the hoof.

The barefoot approach:

– can be less expensive, with some owners learning to trim their own horse’s feet.

– aims to emulate the hooves of wild horses.

– may allow the horse to confidently move over varied terrain.

– may reduce pain in some Lamanitic or Navicular horses by improving blood circulation in the hoof, promoting a strong elastic frog, and thick heel bulbs.

Now Let’s Be Realistic

The stress put on domesticated horses is in no way natural. The riding horse is routinely asked to run faster, jump higher, and collect deeper, and their bodies must absorb concussion on joints and feet.

The Trim vs Shoe Debate

The value in debating between trimming vs shoeing encourages in depth thought on why a method works. To have a justified opinion, a trimmer or farrier must:

– have worked on hundreds of feet, developing a feel as to what trimming methods work and on what type of horse.

–  know their limitations when trimming lame horses. Horses should not be trimmed repeatedly in the same fashion if the lameness persists.

– leave diagnosing lameness to veterinarians.

When Shoes Are The Best Option

Shoes may be the best choice in many different circumstances.

Sole Bruising – simply put, shoes protect the hoof. Period. A horse in work with soft, shelly or thin soles will perform when they are not foot sore. Pads and packing can be added to assist in relieving sole pain and reduce concussion.

Low heels– if one or both hooves have low heels (in comparison to each other or pastern and shoulder angle) the heels can be raised with wedge pads. This is instrumental in achieving balanced movement and equal stride length.

Mismatched hooves balanced with a wedge pad

(Note: Not all horses do well by matching hoof angles, especially if the horse is a balanced mover with mismatched angles. If a horse is having lameness or gait issues, matching angles should be the first priority.)

Heel pain– shoes can assist in stabilizing heels for horses that have tendon pain, suspensory pain, or sheared heels. Farriers can create a larger surface area by using larger shoes for horses with small feet or contracted heels. Pads with frog supports can help the hoof “pump” more blood, aiding in healthy blood flow to feet.

Traction– Any horse in competing (beyond beginner levels) on hard, soft, wet or uneven footing will need traction. Traction is applied by the use of road studs, borium, concave shoes (where dirt fills a track at the shoe’s toe area) or caulks.  The goal is to only add enough traction to assist the horse; more than needed can cause jarring and excessive concussion.  Any traction bigger than a small road stud should be removed after use.

Peer Pressure

Owners love their horses and only want what is best for them. The novice horse owner may be pressured by other horse owners to strictly use barefoot trimmers. There are horses that simply cannot stay sound barefoot. Trimming this kind of horse, again and again, using the barefoot method is a waste of money, time, and causes undue stress on the horse.

Educated farriers turn scientific equine podiatry studies into practical application and spend valuable time experimenting with which techniques work and whicht ones need to be altered when the equine has conformation or gait limitations.

The farrier’s role is to understand the science behind the studies and use the information to correctly trim or shoe the horse, allowing for compromise in trim shape and shoe size based on footing and turnout conditions.

Trimming horses today – from pleasure horses to competition horses – takes skill and know-how by practical, educated farriers dedicated to their craft and horses in their care. Horse owners rely on farriers that can trim and shoe with sound hoof care philosophies. There is no place for “one rule fits all” in the trimming and shoeing industry.

4 Steps to a Perfect Hoof

As an owner, how do you know when your horse has had correct hoof care?

Looking for balance in the foot

A quality hoof provides the horse with the means to stay sound on all types of terrain.  The foot carries weight on the wall, sole, bars and frog. The frog has a tough, leathery texture protecting the digital cushion. The digital cushion supports hoof and leg concussion and vascular circulation.  An ideal hoof should have thick walls, slightly concave sole, and strong bars.

Conformational defects, genetics, terrain, and under saddle training all play a role in hoof health and soundness. Some horses with naturally “perfect” feet can maintain soundness with a quality trim. Maintaining the soundness of unshod horses is the responsibility of the owner. The horse must have a large turnout area with plenty of room for exercise on different types of terrain (rocky, elevated, wet areas, dry areas).

The owner must schedule regular trimmings.

Step 1: Looking for the “right” farrier

A farrier keen on maintaining soundness through trimming or shoeing can use a variety of shoes, pads, frog supports, traction devices, and trimming techniques to aid in soundness.

Due diligence is required in selecting the right farrier.  Educated farriers can trim a foot for soundness and understand the environmental factors in promoting sound feet. A narrow-minded or “cult like” attitude on any one particular trimming or shoeing practice is always a cause for concern. Not all horses can be kept sound by being barefoot. Quality trimmers unable to keep a riding horse sound through their “formula” of trimming technique (and environment) MUST allow for alternatives.

Add in an educated rider, coach or trainer and the whole process can be spectacular – a sound horse through correct riding, supported on sound, healthy feet, using whatever technique is suitable for the individual horse.

Step 2: The two crucial factors of a trim
A. Balance. Horses must manage with the balance job of the farrier for 6-8 weeks. Medial lateral balance (or the length of the inside and outside walls) should be equal. This is easily observed when you pick up the foot (like you were going to pick it out) and with your thumb on the back of the heel, “sight” the foot to see if the wall on each side is the same length.

B. Angles. The front feet should be approximately 50 degrees depending on the horse’s pastern and shoulder angle. If you do not have a hoof gauge, then it is best to look at the horse from the side and see if the slope of the hoof and pastern (the small length of leg between the ankle and hoof) match the slope of the shoulder. The farrier can use trimming and shoeing techniques to increase or decrease the angle of the foot.

Step 3: Pick apart that trim

A quality trim (unshod hoof) will have excess flaky sole removed – no other sole removed – a trimmed frog (not excessively trimmed but pared for easy hoof picking and open to prevent rocks from being wedged in between the frog and bars), trimmed bars flush with the sole, a thick rounded wall to prevent chips and cracking and angles that are correct for the individual.  Flares are removed.

Step 4: If shoes are the way to go

The type of shoe will depend on your horse’s discipline, conformation, way of going and soundness.  Regardless of shoe, there are a few things you can check to make sure your horse is well shod. The shoe must:
– cover the heel of the foot where the wall and bars meet.
– fit the outer border of the wall and have room for expansion of the heels.
– be level, without gaps at the toe or heel area.
– provide the largest surface area possible (yet fitted well to prevent pulling shoes). For instance, a 0 sized hoof may be able to fit into a size 1 shoe if the heels are fitted well. The surface area may have increased, providing more concussion absorption and hoof protection.

The phrase “No Hoof, No Horse” emphasizes how crucial a well balanced, healthy hoof impacts a horse’s health, soundness and quality of life.

Keys to A Successful Farrier-Client Relationship: Communication is Essential

Happy feet make a happy horse!

Be involved with your horse’s hoof care – even if you don’t know a lot.

Meet your farrier and ask him questions about your horse’s feet, current shoe size and if there are any concerns. You may be able to address any problems through diet, exercise or other management changes. Farriers with  the “I care” approach are happy to educate, answer your questions and keep the line of communication open. Whether trimmed or shod, a professional farrier’s priority is the welfare and soundness of the horse.

Owners and farriers must develop a plan to provide correct trimming or shoeing. Farriers and horse owners have a responsibility to one another. Communication and trust are key!

Your chosen farrier should be punctual and reliable, courteous to barn staff, mindful of barn hours and rules, and keep you and your coach or trainer informed of any new instructions or challenges with the horse or reset.

Great “keeper” farriers:
– enjoy working with horses on a daily basis and have excellent horse handling skills; they are kind yet firm when dealing with young or spoiled horses and accommodating to the limitations of geriatric equines.

– listen to their customers’ wants and needs, suggesting appropriate solutions.

– know when to seek veterinarian assistance.

– are keen to observe other farriers’ shoeing techniques and barefoot methods to add to their “toolbox” of ideas.

– enjoy attending hoof seminars to broaden their understanding of hoof and leg mechanics, participate in round table discussions, and take away fresh ideas in business development, product innovations, and practical application.

– have excellent record keeping skills.

The farrier should leave a bill stating all procedures and charges, instructions, and plan the next service date.

As the horse owner, you need to provide:

– a safe, clutter free area with non-slip footing for the farrier to work.

– level ground and good lighting to help the farrier balance and level the feet.

– horses with clean legs and feet.

– a good fitting halter; either the horse can stand quietly in cross ties or you supply an experienced handler.

Owners should pay their bill promptly in order to keep their account current. Farriers appreciate being paid when services are rendered.

Be empowered, be informed, and develop a long lasting relationship with your farrier. Your money and your horse’s soundness is on the line!

Little Known Qualities of Great Farriers

Well balanced feet can be a work of art

The farrier as an artist

The farrier, though required to scientifically balance and shoe a horse, is an artist working with a living canvas. In order to create a balanced and beautiful foot, the farrier must understand movement, anatomy, break over, “air time”, and conformation. To be a successful farrier, practice and theory must work in harmony with one another.

If the farrier is open minded, a great relationship can develop between farrier, owner and veterinarian when problems arise. Farriers must acknowledge any limitations they may have in dealing with a hoof issue. It’s the experiences of competent farriers and vets, working together, through trial and error and past case studies, that make lame horses sound and prevent sound horses from going lame.

Horse shoeing is a rewarding profession as long as the farrier has compassion for, and is passionate about horses. After all, what would posses a human being to sacrifice his/her body through years of physical stress, and at the risk of injury?

What makes a GREAT farrier?

Good farriers can trim or shoe a horse correctly and in an efficient manner.

Excellent farriers can shoe a horse correctly but have a finesse in the way they go about the whole shoeing process:

– they can “use their gut” to stay safe around dangerous horses.

– they use their instincts to address a mysterious lameness.

– they have many tools to pull from when shoeing gait imbalances.

– they have a gentle touch when trimming foals.

– they can keep peace with a fractious equine.

The farrier as a horse rider

Farriers with riding and training backgrounds have an advantage over non-riding farriers because they understand the terms used when a trainer or rider comes to them with a gait issue or when “something just isn’t right”.  The “feel” used when riding a horse is developed over time, with many miles under saddle, and can be invaluable when trying to solve a soundness issue.

The educated farrier can:

– tactfully assess the current state of training of a horse.

– identify any rider errors.

– suggest age appropriate strength building exercises for the horse.

– encourage use of longitudinal and lateral suppling under saddle on the lunge line, or in hand.

The benefits of farriers that actually ride are simple – they know what the owner wants, have felt it for themselves, know the heartache when an equine partner is  not able to give its best, and have the same feeling of fulfillment when a problem is solved and goals are achieved.

Be aware!

Be aware of farriers who think their idea of quality shoeing is superior to other farriers and the opinions of veterinarians. This type of thinking is an unfair and dangerous practice.  One cause for concern is when farriers consistently trim heels too low.  These farriers want to trim the foot to the widest part of the hoof and fit a very large shoe. The end result is a horse that has low heels, long toes, and  incorrect angles.  The horse suffers from fatigue earlier in the ride, causing gait abnormalities, and heel or suspensory pain.

The horse owner should feel as comfortable about having a farrier work on their horses as they do a veterinarian.  Competent farriers are in demand everywhere there are horses; farriers willing to communicate with owners and veterinarians, enjoy the work involved, and are keen to put the horse first, have a bright future.

They should be able to put a personal stamp their work, and with the feel of an artist, produce a beautiful, functional, balanced hoof.

What qualities do you like about your farrier?

Hello world!

Welcome to farriersnotebook, a place where you can inform yourself about shoeing and trimming for today’s equine.

Present-day horses are valued as specialized athletes, trail riding buddies, weekend show competitors, lesson horses and family pets. Care and consideration must be given to trim and shoe each horse as individuals, with feedback from the rider and coach.

A qualified farrier, passionate about horses, with good business skills, is the key to hoof health.

This blog is for horse owners, trainers and riders looking for shoeing and trimming advice for today’s equine. If you are a horse owner, the tips you find in these pages are especially for you. Read to discover how to evaluate your horse’s trimming or shoeing job and ascertain the role and responsibilities of the owner and the farrier.