A: I use a Dremel tool with a cut off blade to knurl the head of my driving hammer. This helps prevent me from bending nails. I only have one good eye and without the knurled head, I’ll bend too many nails.
Most of your tools have a relatively long life. With proper care and periodic maintenance, sharpening and repair, many farrier tools can last for years.
Q: I’d like some advice regarding tool use and maintenance that will provide the most “bang for the buck.” In other words, what will pay off the most, both in cost savings, as well as wear and tear on my body?
The slogan “safety is everybody’s business” is a common one, but if you’re the business owner, you can also add “the buck stops here” when it comes to shoeing rig safety. If you’re not paying attention to it, who is?
Among many other factors, it's clear that careful maintenance of racetrack surfaces is critical. A recent white paper analyzing the composition, performance and safety of racing surfaces (1) contains critical concepts for farriers regarding the interaction between the hoof and the ground at each phase of the footfall and the role of the farrier in influencing that interaction.
While rasps are not cheap, stretching the life of these valuable tools is certainly possible if you put some extra effort into their care. This means being able to handle more horses with each rasp and saving dollars.
When Dan Bradley discusses farrier tool maintenance, the numbers just keep piling up. And the farrier from Lucedale, Miss., and longtime clinician with G.E. Forge & Tool, says those numbers don’t lie.
Grant Moon sees horseshoeing, in part, as a program of preventative maintenance. He told about 75 horseshoers at a clinic at Wagon Mound Ranch Supply in Solano, N.M., that a big part of their job is preventing injuries while maximizing performance.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
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.