Hoof Shoeing Evaluation Please! *pics*

[ImaBronsonBear]

UPDATE! Post 34

Well, i got a new farrier for Brig (the 3rd, arrgh), and he's fresh out of school. That is good for some things: he actually answers the phone *gasp!*, can fit you in his schedule right away, he wants you as a client, and he's actually on time. The bad thing is that you don't know how good of a job he is doing, and since i cannot evaluate how a shoe job is, that's where ya'll come in!:cowboy: These were taken less than 2 minutes after the farrier left, so it's a new shoe job.;) He got steel on his back hooves for the first time too!

LF:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7054.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7055.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7056.jpg

LR:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7057.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7058.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7059.jpg

RF:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7061.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7062.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7064.jpg

RR:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7065.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7066.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_7067.jpg

Thank you!

[HoustonFarrier]

Poor trim(unbalanced, toes too long). If you don't watch him, that toe will migrate forward, heels will get underslung, and your hors will be sore.

Poor hoof preperation(hind feet look like they were rasped AFTER the shoe was on?)
8 nails per shoe:eek: I can keep a draft shoe on with 6!
Poor shoe fit (gaps between hoof and shoe, look at hind shoe bottom pics, see one branch longer than the other, wraps PAST sulcus, front foot, hoof hanging out over from lateral quarter)

I pefer a wide web shoe over a narrow one like he used.....

He could stand to ride along and apprentice with an experienced farrier.

Steve

[palomino]

OK, first off, I trim barefoot, I dont do shoes. So take this with a grain of salt, but I do know a good shoe job.
The first pic, the toes look long and the heels look underslung on that foot. The shoes look unbalanced from the solar view (the heels of the shoes look crooked). The back feet look sort of chopped up, only some of the wall touching the shoe? Im not sure that is bad, but looks like a barefoot trim in the back with the quarters down, just with a shoe on.
Pics 3 and 6 the heels of the shoe are DEFINITELY uneven. Basically the shoes are on crooked. Thats the main thing. On a good note, the feet dont look unhealthy.
Im not trying to rip on the guys work, but I would get a more experienced farrier for now until he works the kinks out. Uneven shoes can really cause some problems.
One of the rear nails look like there may be a blood spot? Is that just lighting?

[palomino]

Hey steve, you read my mind!!

[no hurray]

sorry to say that is a awful shoe job. this farrier needs to spend a lot of time apprentenceing with a seasoned farrier.

[palomino]

Just as a side note, I would have those shoes pulled and trim up those feet properly and try shoes again in awhile- that shoe job is begging for a sore, lame horse.

[luv2show]

What the heck is up with that LR, 3rd pic? is the shoe sideways or is his foot? :huh:
I personally wouldn't be using that farrier ever again... no offence but his feet don't look that great .. at all:(

[livaward]

Yeah defiantly get the shoes off and and get the feet done properly..........

[JackieB]

Sorry, Bronson. I know the "Ugh!" feeling well. Just wanted to see if I could lend a little moral support.

I thought you were doing all of your own trimming now?

[WashingtonBay]

I know how much you don't want to hear what you're hearing but the combination of trim and shoe application doesn't look good. I don't think you're supposed to see daylight showing through between the shoe and the horse, and that shoe laying over the frog looks to me like it would make him sore.

And I know how much of a challenge it is to find a good one.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Poor hoof preperation(hind feet look like they were rasped AFTER the shoe was on?)
8 nails per shoe:eek: I can keep a draft shoe on with 6!
Poor shoe fit (gaps between hoof and shoe, look at hind shoe bottom pics, see one branch longer than the other, wraps PAST sulcus, front foot, hoof hanging out over from lateral quarter)



The farrier I had before I found my awsome farrier did the same thing- like the 8 nails per shoe because he said Dakota was tough on his shoes (which is sort of true, he drags his back toes... but still) He also left that gaps between hoof and shoe sometimes, but he said that it was okay, and since I was bacially clueless on the subject, I thought it was.

ImaBronsonBear, my old farrier was also was young and fresh out of farrier school, so he too answered the phone and was very prompt and reasonably priced- which I thought was amazing! But I realize now (didn't know this at the time) that he didn't have the temperment to be working with horses (found that out the hard way)... or the experience to be shoeing them.

My new farrier has been shoeing horses for over 20 years, is an older (not old, just older. Experinced) man, a big guy, who is great with the horses, very calming, patient, and gentle. And that is very important, especially for Beauty.

I hope you can find a farrier like him! I've been in the same boat and trying to find one is not fun or easy. Good luck!

[ImaBronsonBear]

Crap. Ya'll are thinking along the same lines i was thinking, but i still wasn't to sure about it. That's why i posted.;) I specifically didn't set up another time with this guy, because i wanted to see how this one went first. So is the general consensus that i should get these shoes pulled and get another guy out to redo it? Ugh, the money.:(

Sorry, Bronson. I know the "Ugh!" feeling well. Just wanted to see if I could lend a little moral support.

I thought you were doing all of your own trimming now?

Thank you JackieB for the support, but it doesn't come as a huge surprise. When i lifted up his back hooves after he got finished, i was think along the lines of, wtheck?!

You are correct to a certain extent, i trim my other horse (Bronson) who does wonderfully barefoot. But Brig was not exactly a horse with normal hooves. Here are some pics from previous months if you care to look at them: http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/Brigs%20Hooves/

Basically, he came to me with ultra long, stretched toes. Pulled the shoes and went barefoot for a year, and it was just not working at all. Toe still really long (as you'll see in pics) and not comfortable. So then i got a different guy out and put front shoes on, which he got in March, with a really, really good farrier. That farrier did them 'till this month, and the hooves were really improving (as you can see in the pics) when he flaked out and i had to call this new guy. Argh. Now i don't know who to call because i'm way out here in the middle of no where and it is really, really hard to get a farrier out here for just one horse.

One of the rear nails look like there may be a blood spot? Is that just lighting?

Yes that is a blood spot, and i noticed it when i took the pics.:mad:

But, i must say this is a first! All the farriers agreeing on the same thing, both bare and shoes. Wow.:rolleyes: Somehow, i don't think that's a good thing...


My new farrier has been shoeing horses for over 20 years, is an older (not old, just older. Experinced) man, a big guy, who is great with the horses, very calming, patient, and gentle. And that is very important, especially for Beauty.

Yeah, that's what the farrier before this one was, but he is such a flake, it's like pulling teeth to get him out here...he's got tons of clients.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Yeah, that's what the farrier before this one was, but he is such a flake, it's like pulling teeth to get him out here...he's got tons of clients.

I was warned that my farrier has been known to do that too.. at least in the past he has. But so far so good, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe he has changed, or maybe he realizes just how much I am counting on him, because he is so good with Beauty and, considering all of her issues, that's saying a lot.

[ImaBronsonBear]

I was warned that my farrier has been known to do that too.. at least in the past he has. But so far so good, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe he has changed, or maybe he realizes just how much I am counting on him, because he is so good with Beauty and, considering all of her issues, that's saying a lot.

Maybe i should call again and beg.:rolleyes: I wonder if it would help...he probably wouldn't even call back. *sigh*

[palomino]

Hey bronson- I think for the most part I totally agree with the farriers (on this site, especially steve) when it comes to the way a horse should be trimmed and *shudder* shod. LOL Im more about balance and correctness than worrying about shoes or no shoes. BUT I do prefer barefoot- if youre going to shoe a horse it needs to be done right!!! PULL the shoes NOW, if that is a blood spot- that is BAD NEWS!!!! Get those bad boys OFF!! That can cause all sorts of issues!!
If youre in Oregon, I could help.
Im glad you posted to get opinions- youre a good horse moma!

[palomino]

I get all kinds of crappy feet to go bare, BTW- you just need a good person to do it!!

[ImaBronsonBear]

Ok, now here's a question. Can i pull just the backs, and leave the fronts on for a little while while i try to get a farrier out here, or should i pull them all? Because he's been bare on his backs until yesterday, but he's always been ouchy on his fronts, so that would be a really hard transition for him. And can i pull the shoes?

Dang, i wish i was in OR, but i'm about 12 hours south of you.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Maybe i should call again and beg.:rolleyes: I wonder if it would help...he probably wouldn't even call back. *sigh*

Maybe worth a shot, lol.:D I called my farrier "my hero" the very first time he came out (he was so amazing with Beauty)- maybe that is why he is being so awesome?:innocent:

[lovesfortune]

Sorry you are having such a tough time getting a good farrier. I got lucky with my guy, but both of ours are barefoot and have really great feet. My guy has been working for over 16 yrs and is very helpful, but I'm lucky I live so close to him and he squeezes me in after hours... he is pretty busy!

[WashingtonBay]

Ok, now here's a question. Can i pull just the backs, and leave the fronts on for a little while while i try to get a farrier out here, or should i pull them all? Because he's been bare on his backs until yesterday, but he's always been ouchy on his fronts, so that would be a really hard transition for him. And can i pull the shoes?

Dang, i wish i was in OR, but i'm about 12 hours south of you.

I wouldn't try to pull them yourself unless you've got the tools to cut or rasp the clinches and pull them loose or unless one of the farriers wants to give alternate advice and step by steps.... Especially as many nails as he used.

[livaward]

My new farrier has been shoeing horses for over 20 years, is an older (not old, just older. Experinced) man, a big guy, who is great with the horses, very calming, patient, and gentle. And that is very important, especially for Beauty.



I have to say my farrier is just like this!:p

[HoustonFarrier]

I have to say my farrier is just like this!:p

DOH!:doh:

"Old man" Steve :p

[gaited07]

WOW, that has to be one of the worse shoeing jobs I've ever seen. Sloppy, no balance, long toes and and and and. (sorry)

[palomino]

try to get someone out to get those shoes off asap- try not to leave them on for much longer.

[MyHorseBiggs]

Did you watch him while he was doing it? Doesn't look like he did a good job at all.

[Country Girl 43]

Aww ...I feel for you! Can you borrow a pair of boots for awhile? I know you mentioned your horse gets ouchy. Someone also posted a thread on how to do a temporary boot with stuff from a hardware store....I'll have to check if it was this forum or my local forum... Either way, do as everyone says and get those shoes off.

My farrier once told me..."if a shoer has to advertise for business that is a big red flag..unless they just moved into town" Most good shoers get their business from word of mouth and don't have to advertise. I got lucky with my guy. I happened to keep my trailer in the same storage place as he does. We bumped into eachother and the rest is history. Come to find out, he is HIGHLY recommended by many vets in my area.

[Mandzanita]

This just totally sucks! I hate the runaround of trying to find a shoer you trust, who is dependable. I recently found one and am just so relieved. A good farrier is worth their weight in gold and diamonds. Those pics....wow...I might call him up and get your money back. You really shouldn't have to pay twice to get your horses shoes done right. That is a horrendous job! I hope he didn't charge alot. I really hope you find someone who can fix them!! Don't you live in Cali?

[gaited07]

Can you borrow a pair of boots for awhile? I know you mentioned your horse gets ouchy. Someone also posted a thread on how to do a temporary boot with stuff from a hardware store....I'll have to check if it was this forum or my local forum... Either way, do as everyone says and get those shoes off.
Use an a diaper (or simular) place it on the bottom of the hoof, trim to fit. Vet tape, then duck tape (only around the hoof itself,not the hairline.)


My farrier once told me..."if a shoer has to advertise for business that is a big red flag..unless they just moved into town" Most good shoers get their business from word of mouth and don't have to advertise. I got lucky with my guy. I happened to keep my trailer in the same storage place as he does. We bumped into eachother and the rest is history. Come to find out, he is HIGHLY recommended by many vets in my area.

I would go to some stables/tack stores and ask for farriers there. Most tack shops have a good selection of farriers in the area.

[ImaBronsonBear]

Update: I just called my neighbors, and their farrier is coming out tomorrow or Friday, so i called their farrier and just pray that he can squeeze me in! Hopefully i sounded desperate enough on my message.;)

[Mercury]

Good luck!

[ImaBronsonBear]

YES!!!!!!!! The new farrier that my neighbors have been using for years just called me back this morning, and he can fit me in tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to move one of my lessons, but i could fit them in later in the day, so it worked out just fine.

And to top it all off, this guy has worked with my old farrier, and i've actually met him once before the first time my old farrier came out. :)

[Tens Legacy]

I was like ohhhh what a bad job when I saw those pictures:( I hope this new farrier is excellent.

[cloedoll]

I hope this new farrier works out, Bronson!

[ImaBronsonBear]

UPDATE: Just got him done today.:) This new farrier agreed with everything ya'll said, he didn't want to bash another farrier's work, but he said that it was pretty bad. The very first thing he did was pull those back shoes because they were laying over the frog, then pull the front shoes, mentioned that the balance was really outta wack and if it kept going that way, the toe would get really long. He was really nice, and i lamented about the fact that it was so hard to get a farrier out to do just one horse, etc., etc. Then i thanked him profusely for doing it for me, and pretty much milked it for all it was worth, so now hopefully he'll feel sorry for me and try to fit me into his schedule.;) He was also really nice and didn't charge me full price because i had to pay twice.:)

Anyway, here are the pics, and imo, they look a lot better. He said that they're not as good as they could be because of what he had to work with, so without further ado...

LF:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6336.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6337.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6338.jpg

RF:
The toe did not look this dubbed in RL:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6339.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6340.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6341.jpg

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I think those look a whole lot better.

Would it make it batter for him if you coordinated his visit with the neighbor? Same day or even to bring the horse over to their place for it?

[ImaBronsonBear]

Well, I think those look a whole lot better.

Would it make it batter for him if you coordinated his visit with the neighbor? Same day or even to bring the horse over to their place for it?

Already got it covered.;) I'm gonna call him at 5 weeks (but he shoes every 6-8 weeks), and all he has to do is tell me the time he'll be at my neighbors (which is a 5 minute walk down the road) and i'll be there.:) Now just pray he doesn't flake out like my other good farrier.:mad:

[lovesfortune]

Those look so much better. I'm glad you found a good farrier to come out so quickly and fix it. And it sounds like you have a good plan for getting him to be your regular. I was going to suggest planning your trims with your neighbors as well.

I love our farrier, but I do know the other good one in our area only comes out every 6 weeks and he does my neighbors, so if I want to have him do ours it has to be the same day.

[Remali]

Oh boy, I sure can sympathize with you....my former farrier had to retire because of poor health, I am so bummed because he was very good....so now I am just hoping and praying the new farrier I've gotten is OK. I don't have my mare shod tho, but I am still very picky about hoof trims.

Oops! Edited to say that I missed this last page somehow and I am glad to hear it is all re-done!!

[palomino]

Looks much better- so much more balanced!! Looks as good as shod can look LOL!! J/K! Do I see no shoes on the back??
Glad ur happy with this one- see how much TOE he took off in the fronts? Wow.

[westmanfarrier]

oh, yes. Stick with this guy.

[Ponykins]

Holy Smokes! That's one funky shoe job. Better start looking for someone new. On some feet, the horse's heel is hanging over the shoe, in some, the hair lines are jacked up on one side, toes are dubbed off, one shoe is twisted, the nail are both uneven and too low on some, too much clinch left on some. It's like each hoof is shod differently and poorly. If you wanted shoes nailed onto your horse's feet, you got it. If you wanted it done correctly, you sure didn't get it. I'd pull those shoes and start over with someone who knows what they are doing.

[cloedoll]

I'm no pro, but much much better, lol. I'll be awaiting the pros replies. ;)

[WashingtonBay]

Holy Smokes! That's one funky shoe job. Better start looking for someone new. On some feet, the horse's heel is hanging over the shoe, in some, the hair lines are jacked up on one side, toes are dubbed off, one shoe is twisted, the nail are both uneven and too low on some, too much clinch left on some. It's like each hoof is shod differently and poorly. If you wanted shoes nailed onto your horse's feet, you got it. If you wanted it done correctly, you sure didn't get it. I'd pull those shoes and start over with someone who knows what they are doing.

Hello and welcome to the forum, Ponykins... :)

I do think you are probably posting about the original post, not the updated new shoe job by a different farrier posted HERE (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showpost.php?p=21048&postcount=34) :)

[John Boy]

All I will say , I like to see a hoof marriage to a shoe , no daylight , no opportunity for dirt to migrate as well as over stride pulling a shoe.
The 2nd job appears to have resolved your first shoed work.

farrier work is not easy.
What a great profession if you know your stuff !!