Our favourite numpty actually brought up a good topic over at the other place, that is the use (or overuse) of bar shoes. So Et Al, when do you like to use them (straight, egg and heart) and when should they not be used? And why do they work?
l have a horse who broke off his lateral heel. l plan on putting on a Straight bar when the owner can afford the shoeing. Supposed to call around January 14.
Anthony I have used more bar shoes in the last twelve months than in the last ten years! For those who dont live in the UK its been raining for a year, I can ring the water out of the feet at the min! so been using straight bar shoes on feet with lots of movement at the heels and distressed capsules. I made a jig for the van, fit a shoe and then weld the bar in then refit the shoe. So I guess I am the one, the numpty is reffering to.
Kim you dont book a horse in for a bar in a few weeks time or when the owner can afford it , its an at now shoe
oh , well that's good to know. I was called for a trim and discovered the horse had his heel half hanging off. Suppose you don't suggest it needs bar shoes and then have them say they don't have the money till later.
things can be very different in a very short space of time , if its that bad it needs the shoe there and then , your saying the money means more than a comfortable horse
I don't think money means more than the comfort of the horse, but I'm sure not giving away free shoeing because they can't afford what the horse needs. Horses are a luxury item, if people can't afford to do what the horse needs maybe it's time to rethink their hobby. That's not to say I haven't taken post dated checks once or twice (Usually turns out bad for me), or taken some sort of barter/trade of services, or made some kind of payment for a good customer that is having a tight month. But I'm sure not going to put a set of shoes on for someone just for the horses sake if they can't afford to pay me.
Well I probably shouldn'ta said that, bygones, but FYI http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=numpty It's used a lot in Oz, but I never realized its Scottish origin.
David I 'almost' envy you. Feet have been like flint over here for a few months now... I'm trying to find a suitable piece of steel to make a sole chisel from. But sopping feet must equally be a PITA.
You put the barshoe on whether the owner can afford it or not; because you can afford an angry customer who will talk about it. Or you walk away and lose the customer; you can afford bad reviews. This is why you need to have a forge; barshoes on board to put one on. I always keep old used barshoes from other horses, and when I find myself in a precarious situation with someone; I always offer a used barshoe for free, just charge for a regular shoeing; and throw the barshoe in the fire and reshape it for the new horse. It works; and it keeps your reputation in tack .....and keeps the horse sound....win win situation.
Unfortunately I'm stuck with a reputation of providing luxury service to clients who can afford it and are willing to pay a premium to get it.
I like the late dr rooneys physics diagrams on the forces involved in bar shoes. and the limited applications of bar shoes. good articles over in the other place. the farrier mentioned in the article who helped dr rooney see a few of the applications is if i recall correctly is our own Jaye Perry. Where appropriate bar shoes are useful but generally way overused.
I apply bar shoes every time they're needed. Just don't seem to need them much. Linda, if you have a deadbeat horse neglector bad mouthing you, it probably won't hurt your reputation and may in fact put you in a better light among decent folk. Thanks Anthony, now I know a fun insult in a different language.
Today I shod a horse with coffin bone fractured.I make a egg bar size 1 with an old shoe from a jumper shoe size 4. The horse is property of my customer.This shoe is free cost for it.Cost for me, 15 minutes of work and a bit of propane.
