In normal shoeing do you have Rules that you never vary from? Things like always fit full to the toe, flat shoe on a flat foot, the sole should never touch the shoe, always use the toe nail holes, and others you've been taught. What are some other rules, and what are some you don't hold to?
Or better yet - cash. Make appointment for next time. Don't use toe nails, as for me they are too far forward (Read Martin Kenny's study).
Mikel reminded me of my one true hard and fast rule which is to schedule the next appointment. I never really thought about any aspect of shoeing as an unbreakable rule but more like guidelines to steer me to how the horse I am under at the time needs to be shod.
Always check my notes, and look over the whole horse before starting work. Always look at the hoof before you pick it up. Make a mental note of what you expect to see. If, after picking it up, you don't see what you expected, put it down, look again, and adjust your "plan". Always box and safe. Regards
I agree with Ray above.... I won't work alone.... And though I run my practice as a COD operation, occasionally I'll let someone "pay me later"..... I won't ever work on a horse for someone that owes me money for previous work..... Dave
Yes John. I was taught that the shoe should touch a ruler set on the dorsal surface of the hoof at the toe.
I don't get this thing about toe nails. I have read that paper and, whilst you can't fault his observations, I think his conclusions are flawed - I think it's the trim that is causing the phenomenon he documents, not the position of the nails (but what do I know). I have seen, and done, thousands of shoeings where the toe nail holes have been utilised with no adverse effects. This horse I did yesterday was shod on Jan 8th (12 weeks), the toe nail holes were used and I don't see any problem they have caused.
I haven t read the study/paper but can tell you that on more than one occasion i ve nailed up broken hooves with 2 holes in the toe, and one in each heel, never using the manufacturers holes, so they,the holes were in front of and behind the factory holes, .....and saw no adverse effect. I also remember when the standard protocol was to never use the last nail holes, more than once got a lecture/advice from a vet or owner about what was read somewhere. ray
