Tools of the Trade?

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and hoof trimming. I was wondering what tools you use every time you trim a horse? What do you consider required and what things do you use that you could trim without (if any)?


Thanks!

Hoofpick, shoeing chaps and rasp. Eyes, hands, brain.

Not 'required' but usually/often necessary/essential
See above, plus, a good pair of hoof nippers, a sharp hoof knife(I prefer a long handled drop blade knife), Hoof stand with cradle, wire brush, bandaids for when the horse moves and I catch my knuckles with the rasp or knife, Durasole dental picks, small curette, half round nippers

It depends. But upon consideration, sanding block/buffy, sealer, acrylics, half round nippers

Rick you forgot the sharpie marker. The most important tool!

I also would add to the list gardening gloves. Denise Mclain introduced me to atlas gardening gloves for trimming around 2001 at a Gene clinic in vermont and since then I hardly ever need to use bandaids.

I did use those gloves back then in 2001, but for the past nine years or so I have been using the type of glove you see in my avatar. They are Kevlar gloves with sticky dots on both sides; you can wear them on either hand. They are very cut resistant, cooler in the summer, and can keep a grip on slippery wet hooves. They are a little pricey at ~ $4.50/pr and a pair lasts ~ 2-3 weeks (less if I am doing squirmy minis or youngsters). I get them by the dozen from a local Safety Supply store. Here's a better description: http://www.safetysupplieszone.com/A...h-10-Cuff-PVC-Dots-On-Both-Sides_p_20260.html (wish I didn't need to wear gloves, bandaides would be cheaper, but I still don't like rasping my knuckles) The Gene clinic I met you at was in Pennsylvania.. Great clinic! duckett

Thanks guys!

Alright I've seen somebody that trims horses use a tool that adjusts out to measure from the coronary band to the toe. I haven't seen this elsewhere, anybody know what it's called?

A tape measure?

I know what you're talking about but I can't remember what website was on.

Was 1 of those latest invention type deals

I agree with Rick - his brain is a good tool. Other farrier's brains have been indispensable tools for me shoeing horses.

Wing dividers

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Mea culpa, Tom's post reminded me of one of the most indispensable tools for trimming. A cell phone with a camera

Thanks guys, and yeah "wing dividers" were what I was talking about!

lol, I was thinking a totally different deal.

all of them depending on the horse.

A desire to do the job

I don't have one but an apprentice would be something I could use to trim that I could do w/o