Over the past 28 years of my shoeing career, clients, veterinarians and other farriers have asked three common questions about hoof angle.
What is the ideal hoof angle?
What angle do you like the front hooves?
What angle do you try to achieve for hind hooves, etc.?
Danville, Ill., farrier Steve Sermersheim points out that when trimming the frog, it’s important to realize what looks good isn’t always good for the horse.
What consideration do you give to trimming the frog?
“I think we overlook it,” Danville, Ill., farrier Steve Sermersheim told attendees at the D.L. Schwartz Farrier Supply clinic in October. “I used to overlook it. I would just trim the frog and go on.”
Before I wrote this article, I thought it would be a quick write up with pictures of poorly fitted shoes and correctly fitted shoes. As I began typing, I quickly realized how many factors are essential for a properly fitted shoe and how many "red flags" about improper fit can pop up.
Criticism creates a very definite reaction when it's offered.The best farriers evaluate their own work, and more often than not, find flaws in each job. The judging starts to get tricky, though, when others offer their 2 cents.
As the elderly horse population grows, the horse community is trying to adopt conscientious methods to help make them more comfortable, and farriers are not exempt.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.