I know everyone says to use a rasp right after the shoe is hot, but I waited a full minute on a draft horse last week and the fit was way better.

3 comments

3 Comments

Waiting a whole minute? Might as well let the shoe cool down and start over. Next time just hand the horse a cold drink and ask for his opinion.

zara_kelly272d ago

Yeah, @alice336 is onto something with asking the horse. Honestly, that extra minute lets the steel set a bit so it's not just a floppy mess on the hoof. I tried rushing it once on a big Percheron and the shoe just folded over the toe like tinfoil. Letting it sit firms it up enough to rasp without losing the shape. Maybe some horses just have cooler feet?

theasmith2d ago

Oh wow, that makes total sense! I read an old farrier book that said the same thing, @zara_kelly27, about letting hot shoes temper for a second. It really does help keep the shape for the final fit.