John,
One of the things I like about my farrier is that he is willing to listen. I
save shoeing/hoof articles for him to read/comment. Several yrs ago in the
fall my mare started having some very low grade lamesness at the end of 2 day
CTR's, a little fill that cleared up in a day or 2. It was the first yr I had
done more than 150 miles (had about 400 on her at that point). Trail Blazer
had an article on having enough heel on the shoe, which I showed my farrier,
as the mare had the heel cracks indicative of insufficient heel on the shoe.
He tried the next larger shoe, which meant he had to sand off a little of the
heels (more work for him), & she's been fine since (over 2600 miles now &
sound).
I had a former farrier tell me that the toe cracks in the gelding were because
I had a chuck hole in the pasture (!). Too much toe, or course.
You pay the bills; I think you are entitled to having your ideas at least
listened to.
Good luck!!!
Nancy