Pictured Above: Figure 1

There is a notion among some farriers that glue-on shoes damage hoof wall. Those who use them frequently, though, disagree.

“I have people telling me the glue deteriorates the hoof wall,” explains Steve Kraus, Cornell University’s head farrier. “No, it doesn’t. What’s being deteriorated is the farrier yanking the cuff off improperly and ripping the hoof wall away.”

The Hall Of Fame farrier has a simple procedure for removing a glue-on cuff-style horseshoe.

“You want to cut the fabric right against the rim pad and make sure you separate the shoe completely (Figures 1 to 3) and then roll the fabric off (Figures 4 to 5) with your pulloffs,” Kraus explains. “Don’t try and jerk things off, you want to leave as much glue on the hoof as possible. After you remove the shoe, you simply rasp off the glue.”

This tip and many others can be found by picking up the April issue of American Farrier’s Journal.

Figure 2
Figure 3
 
Figure 4
Figure 5

Do you have a helpful tip that could benefit other farriers? Send them to Jeff Cota at jcota@lessitermedia.com.