Quick pic from college, 13" of inch 3/8. First one I've ever made to go on the foot, was pretty pleased with the outcome
Funny enough dad said the same thing, the lecturer who I had at the time, prefers them, I prefer a less pointed heel myself. But it fitted nicely and nailed itself on
If you're only getting to do him at 10 wks then you are kinda chasing your tail ( I know how some owners can be ) & most of the reply's regarding improving your work really have no basis . If a horse isn't on schedule you can only do so much , you're doing great hang in ! I didn't say all I said most ....
Welcome Kim , I recently discovered I have two crushed disc in my lower back so I've tried to cut all drafts from my books & any other problem horse's . Actually not to many drafts in my area & I've only trimmed them , I trimmed one yesterday he wears a 7 on front & 6 on hinds & I can tell you my back hurts today so I may have to let him go too . So my hats off to all you who do work on them , I've had them sling me around knock me down & they weren't nasty just SO big ..
Don't do that smitty88 I remember you from another forum & always thought youre advice was valuable & insightful . I sure didn't mean to offend you as I really do respect your post's . I merely know any horse I have that the owner doesn't let me set a tight schedule , well the hoofs are never quite as good as those I can do at 6 wks no matter how I try ..
So, I've written and erased this many times tonite. And.... I'm just going to bite the bullet. I know we each have our own "style" But, Smitty....would you care to critique posts #1317 and 1318 while you are being so hard on Kim? When we evaluate a job, is it not to be interpreted from the horses' perspective? Or rather our own? Does the horse look at the finish or walk on the shoes? I'd rather support a horse properly (or close) with a store bought shoe and a finish that lacks star quality, than hammer out a handmade that has neither. (sorry Josh, but I would imagine you would like honest evaluations of your work, just like Kim.) Kim is here. On this site. Heart and soul to learn. She will get better in spite of anything and everything because she WANTS to get better. Have we not seen soooo many others just like her post their work along their journey? It's not so good in the beginning....but gets better and better. That would be a fun thread. "Pics of your very first shoeing job"
Hell it doesn't bother me patty. After some Facebook discussion I wonder if I couldn't have done more with trimming the foot, lot of it in front of the frog compared to what's behind the apex. Always struggle with her feet. Fit looks good from the bottom but short from the side, mare lives in a fair sized pasture with a pond they drink out of. Horse is arthritic, retired and wasn't getting around good barefoot. A pair of shoes seemed to help. Thought I'd try a pair of sidebone shoes and she's doing better in them. This is the second pair. Like the fit of the left better than the right. Any critique is much appreciated. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Measuring off her frog you could trim to 3 1/4". . .stopped at 3 3/8" have gotten her shorter than I'd like trying to get that little bit more. . .sole was too flexy Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Those stacked up sort of feet can be hard. I've had a few of those over the years, but the one that reminded me the most of your mare was one I worked on a long time ago. Back when I didn't even own a forge (yikes), let alone a grinder, and when I barely knew a thing. If this works, the first pic will show what appears to be very little sole depth (so you can see that, yes, you can get there from here without removing much). The next set will be the shoeing the same day I met him. The next was how I left him when I had to let the client go (yep, bare...but very happy, arthritis and all) . You will notice that the initial shoeing I did is still wayyyy too far forward ( a lot like yours) but the main difference is the heel height. If you trim your frog to reveal the true origin of the heel, I think you might be surprised just how much there is. Your mare is flexy in the sole because she has .... for lack of words.... a BIG trampoline. A large solar surface area to flex. Make the trampoline smaller and she won't flex as much. Put her closer to the ground for better support. PS.... I can't even make a sidebone shoe.... (YET!) PPS... Thanks for being a good sport and for understanding. Hopefully this helps.
Uh, oh..... posting pics is way too easy now! No more hosting sites....hallelujah!!!! Thanks to whomever is responsible for that (Eric?)
I think ralph is a squattier shape still. Looks to be a bit of flare to the lateral judging off uniformity around the frog. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
