Statistically the odds say if you want to get a really bad life threatening infection go to a hospital. Oh, AND you have to pay for it.
I messed up the finish trying to rasp smooth clenches, but my nail line was better I think. Tried two different ways to widen the heels. I like forging it out from the inside but it does slightly thin the branch because it stretches. The fullering doesn't widen as much but keeps the branch the same width.
I'm still dragging my clenches down. It's not the blocking because I can see where they drug past the rasp line as I tried using the rasp to under cut this time. So definately have to work on the clenching.
One from today just came in from the field to get back in to work feet very flat and dishy. made a pair of 1x3/8 concave
Kim, use your rasp to undercut the nail, not the hoof wall. Push up under the nail and cut a little flat spot. Don't the rasp into the wall. By making a little flat spot on the underside of the nail you make it easier for the nail to fold over and form nice and flat clinch. Where the nail exits the hoof there is usually a little bulge in the hoof wall where the nail displaced the horn. If you knock that bulge flat with the rasp while at the same time sliding up under the nail to undercut the nail then that should be all you need to prep for a decent clinch. Then just fold the nail over.
After you finish blocking, look behind and above the nails where they exit the hoof wall. See that grove where the nail bent away from the wall when you hit your clinch block? That's where your clinch goes when you fold it back into the wall.
Kim i think Jaye and myself put up some pics on horseshoes.com some time back on clenching. if you can track that down it might help you clenching is really not that hard if your foot prep is not up there your finishing most likely wont be neither. you need to be better with your rasp and get a finished look about your work i suggest if your going to post pics post the before trim and after for now no oil or what ever your putting on
