Farrier Comments on Survey

[Trailrite@aol.com]

The natural plane of the foot is where things should end up.  Having an eye 
for that helps, but even then do you have troubles with worn heel, or 
whatever the problem may be (and God knows that it could be aNYTHING).  the 
first inch of horney-hoof at the hair line is a good indicator as to what you 
need to be doing with the horse.  Setting the toe back is curtail, yet even 
then sometime the horse will have a hard time traveling right-sometimes due 
to conformation probs, rider error, or even muscle toning and strengthening.  
However, that doesn't make long toe's and no heels any more humane.  A lot of 
lost time and money, and most importantly, the horses health is lost due to 
long toes and low heels.  DOESNT Mean that more on the heel is the way to go. 
 But  yet that is even another extreme measure and poor horses shoeing.  
  The natural surface contact of the healthy frog is where a decently built 
horse's heels should be.  Sometimes leaving a lil more can be beneficial.  
Sometimes you only have less.  Setting the toe back with allow the foot to 
bear weight more evenly, therefore limiting the wear on the heel (sometimes 
do to the movement of the shoe).  
Oh and leave a good portion of the bars in there because they are not 
vestigial part of the foot, other wise heels will crush.  

Levi Robinson  (levibambam@aol.com)
Farrier for the TRAIL-RITE Ranch
Home of:
Katie Bar The Door, Ima Liberated Lady & Rett Butler & many more


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