Wednesday, August 29, 2012

This is how hooves should be trimmed

(In my opinion)

James Welz posted a video of his trim on YouTube, I encourage you to take a look at this video before he changes his mind and takes it off. I've been doing this trim since February and have seen many positive changes in the Quarter's hooves.


23 comments:

  1. He did a really nice job. Great video.

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    1. The hooves he trims look like pieces of art- and SOUND!

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  2. Thanks for sharing.

    I especially liked watching him trim the bars. It is rare to get to look over a respectable hoofcare professional's shoulder.

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    1. I really does help to see it. I wish I could post a video of him trimming a horse with overgrown bars but this will have to do :)

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  3. Good video. Thanks for posting it. The section on trimming the bars and the frog were very interesting. I was amazed at how much you can take off! Gem has very deep grooves around his frog, like the horse in the video. You have to be diligent in making sure they are cleaned out completely. It's so easy to miss packed in dirt.

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    1. Yup, it is. That's why it helps to trim the frogs by the heels so the hoof pick can go through the collateral grooves easier.

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  4. Thanks for sharing! I love me a hoof trimming video! BUT, personal pet peeve; I DO NOT like people cleaning a foot out with a hoof knife. Professional or not. Just my personal thought ;)

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    1. I know, it dulls your knife something awful ;)

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  5. After your comment about Rebel's feet, this was a great video to watch. I do some of the same method, but like where he takes it. Need to watch a few more times.

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    1. I have a lot of respect for James Welz, the hooves he trims look beautiful and they nearly all end up sound on all footing without needing boots. The phrase "perfectly sound in boots" bothers me.

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  6. so I have a question for you and I apologize for being anonymous, I no longer have a blogger account. We have a farrier that consistently trims the barefoot horses too short. To the point they walk very short and stiff for two to three days. This farrier has been one for YEARS, he seems to work wonders when it comes to shoeing, but if your horse is barefoot, or only has shoes in the front, the barn owner will say "oh, they had their feet done today, give them some bute," because he takes them all down to short.
    I have never seen this before, and after watching her in obvious discomfort and not being able to ride my horse for several days because of it last time, I really want to move on to another shoer, but it is going to cause a lot of grief at my barn. What is your opinion on trimming them too short?

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    1. The mark of a good hoofcare professional is that they care if the horse is sore and they try to make sure it doesn't happen again. In your case I think you've got a guy who doesn't understand and doesn't care that the needs of a barefoot horse are different than a shod horse. I would guess that he's routinely taking off sole and callous that a barefoot horse desperately needs and that's why they are sore after being trimmed.

      Making a horse tender once is forgivable, especially if the trimmer warns you it might happen in unhealthy hooves. Making your horse sore every time they are trimmed too the point where they need bute to be able to walk is not.

      You are your horse's only advocate, you need to be brave and do what's right. I bet you aren't the only one at that barn who isn't happy with that farrier, don't be surprised if other people want to follow your lead if you fire him.

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    2. yes, you are right. I need to find someone else. Everyone has that complaint about him; he trims too short, but I guess I am the only one that is bothered by it. I am going to have to haul her off site to use another farrier, that's how awkward this is going to be:(

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    3. Wouldn't it be great if people weren't so petty?

      Good luck, it'll be a pain but hopefully you can find someone you'll be happy with.

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  7. Fascinating! Thank you. I have a l a lot of questions for my farrier lately and I can't wait to watch him work this next week. I plan on posting photos of my QH's hooves next week. I'm going to be taking photos and posting about it next week. :)

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    1. For some reason I didn't get an email about your comment so I didn't find it until now. I'll head over to your blog soon.

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  8. omgoodness that horse held its foot up for 11 minutes straight - i cannot imagine it, my horse cannot manage that anymore at 28. great video.

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    1. That's my only issue with James- I think he holds the hoof up for way too long. When I trim I hold the foot for a maximum of five minutes. I end up picking up the foot multiple times before I'm finished but the horses seem happier that way.

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  9. hey, i wanted to add that after watching the video and hearing him describe the striations, i found them on my horse. i have trouble locating the bars precisely on my horse but his tip makes it easy. well, not easy, but i can do it: )

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  10. A shame Lames has removed the video.

    My opinion on trimming them too short... Most horses that are tender after trimming have flat soles. If you don't adjust the food (lower sugar levels and add the right amount of minerals) then they will always stay tenderfooted even after a good trim.

    Once they have good sole concavity you can trim quite short with no problems.

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    1. Oh I see he has, bummer. I'll have to see if I can find another one.

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