Hoof trimming

[swk]

I can see by an earlier post there are some farriers on here. I've started to trim my own horses, I don't think I do too badly, but I know I could and want to do better. Any suggestions on some educational materials ie. book, dvds, etc. that may help me out? I also will talk to a local trainer who trims her own horses and see if I can tag along for a day or two to watch and help. I don't need to shoe, just trim. Where I ride is mostly field roads and cultivated fields or woods, it's not rocky and the horses seem to do fine barefoot.
Thanks,
Steve

[catdogs]

Before you touch the horse, stand him straight on flat ground and take a good look at his feet. Hoof wall should match the slope of the pastern and if he is toed in or toed out, trim accordingly. If the frog is folded over, trim it to keep the thrush out, if it is sluffing you can trim it also, but leave as much frog pressure as possible, that helps absorb shock and helps circulate blood within the foot. Remember, the name of the game is BALANCE. Keep the foot balanced keep the horse balanced. I'm sure there are a ton of websites out there with more info, just google it.

[Brady Davis]

For just a basic trim it really isn't rocket science. A barefoot horse will grow foot however he needs to grow it...What I mean is clean up the sole and frog with a good knife and trim off excess wear. I don't think splitting hairs, etc is gonna do you any good with a barefoot horse, just keep excess growth off and frog cleaned up....Good luck!

By FAR the best book on hoofcare is Doug Butlers "Principles of Horseshoeing (P3)".....total resource for you...don't buy anything else for now...

[Powder River Walker]

You seem like you have looked at your horses feet at least. just some basic guidlines to follow are keep the toe trimmed back. If not sure how short to go rasp the hoof wall on the toe so that it is the same thinkness as the hoof all on the quarters ( between the toe and heel). clean out the dirt away from the frog, then in the 'V" space between the frog and heel you should leave enough heel tha when you put your little finger in the "V" it should be level with it and just a hair taller then the frog. Most of the grouth will be in the toe. After the heel is the right highth rasp the sole from heel to toe to level the foot, be carefull once the heel is where is needs to be don't take anymore off.
I hope that this helps. there are a million differnt ways people do it, but keep it simple unless you have to do some corrective trimming.
Powder River Walker

[swk]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check into the Principles of Horseshoeing book. I know it's fairly expensive, but I really want to do this right and always try to learn more when I can.
Steve