What would you say if I told you that I trimmed her feet myself?

[Mud]

hopefully you won't think I am irresponsable...you see,my parents have had "pet" horses in their lives and I learned to trim from them a little and I have also taken a few short courses to teach me...plus lots of research and reading.so I shall say,I have a barefoot miniature horse and I trim her hooves all by my onesy.

*hides*

[Afellpony]

So long as you know what you're doing and you trim properly then that's not a problem.

[Mud]

So long as you know what you're doing and you trim properly then that's not a problem.

I would say I know what I am doing,I have studied about it alot,and rad what not to do as well as what you should do,I have some highly reccomended tools and done much research any where I could.

I just wanted to get it out,because I left a forum a few months ago,because I got blasted by everyone for trimming hooves myself,they were all rather rude and would not let me explain.

[titch_]

a few people on here do it! im to much ofa novice myself but would like to when im older

[antonia :)]

Well done you!!
As long as you know what your doing then theres no reason why you shoudnt!
x

[joosie]

Trimming and shoeing your own horse is common practise here in Italy, and unlike the UK there are no legal restrictions on what farriery work people can do. Unfortunately a large proportion of the Italians who do it themselves do not actually have any training, and seem surprised when they end up with a lame horse :mad:

[Dreamchaser]

A friend of mine is slowly learning how to do it herself. She still has the farrier come out, but does a little bit herself. I have to say, she does a nice job when she trims her horse's feet.

[*katie*]

I think it's a great idea! I've seen DIY farriery go wrong, but only when performed by idiots who have no idea what they're doing and in a lot of cases don't care anyway. You seem like you know your stuff and are sensible enough to have gone away, researched it properly and got the right tools for the job. It must be a great way to bond and you can say that you can enjoy something with your mini that not many other owners can; I think your mini's lucky to have such a dedicated and caring parent :)

[redcomet]

All i'll say is this, would you be happy on a surgeons son performing a heart bypass on you cos he had seen his dad do it a few times?
training to be a farrier is a lengthy and costly experience for a very good reason. You may think you are doing a good job but for the sake of around £10/£15 a trim isnt it worth getting a professional?

[Roofio]

training to be a farrier is a lengthy and costly experience for a very good reason. You may think you are doing a good job but for the sake of around £10/£15 a trim isnt it worth getting a professional?

i do agree that if you're going to do it well, its worth training either in farriery or trimming or whatever, but my experiences have led me to the conclusion that just because someone has trained and has a certificate, doesn't mean they aren't going to totally butcher your horses feet :(

[redcomet]

do agree with that as have had some pretty crap farriers before, but after 4 yrs (correct me if im wrong)of training i do think they do have a bit more of a clue than someone who has watched their, also unskilled, parents do it a few times!
I just dont think its something you should 'have a bash at' at your horses expense

[Roofio]

totally agree! i personally couldn't trust myself i don't think, no matter how many courses i'd been on, not after the things we've been through and i've seen others go through, all the result of poor workmanship.

what sort of courses have you been on Mud? :)

[Wally]

Trimming a hoof is not rocket science. These fancey new EP seem to like to make it out to be some kind of magical trim that farriers can't do.

[Afellpony]

I'll get OH to have some training regarding trimming feet as the farrier has just put his prices up.:D

[LokiSofi]

I used to trim Ted and Harley myself. They had excellent feet. I also did my mums 2 when she went through a period of being unable to find any farriers to come out.
I have a farrier for my current 3 though I think I'd probably do a better job on Sofis feet.:rolleyes: I'd happily trim them again but with Lokis rotation, and Bubs wearing shoes I wouldn't trim them myself anymore

[lincolstables]

mud...from your posts I would say that your still a youngster, sorry if Im wrong.

I think you are irresponsible and mis-guided to be trimming your ponies feet. We have bred and owned ponies for nearly 30 years now, we do the odd rasp if feet are looking tatty for showing....but would never dream of trimming...STUPID US. AFTER WATCHING THE FARRIER FOR 30 YEARS IT SHOULD BE EASY PEASY:rolleyes:

Remember the old saying "No foot, No horse"

If you cant afford the £10/15 for trimming you shouldnt have ponies in the first place:mad:

[vasey]

Firstly it is an offence to trim or shoe your own horse or pony without any nessasary qualifications.

There are 4 parts to a farriery qualification - part 3 is for your own needs not for reward.

I've seen 'so called' 'barefoot trimmers' cripple a horse - they studied this in america and think they can come over here and 'practice' on UK horses :mad:

The reason people go to farriery college - total of 4years study and 1yr work experience) is to learn how NOT to injure the animal.

I personally think it is irresponsible for any person to 'practice' on thier own horses feet without the rigght qualifications. :mad:

[Tatooed Lady]

I'd like to learn some basics...like how to rasp the odd chunk of hoof that decides to pop up, or to decrease the side flare, as my mare tends to keep the fronts pretty nice length. I'm not about to fire my farrier, though, as he's the one that'll notice things 'off' with her hooves before me.
But, I think the BASIC stuff can be done, if you use caution and common sense. Any major changes (or other issues that arise between trims) can be done by a qualified farrier. I didn't read Mud saying that s/he (sorry, I don't know) knows ALL about trimming, or aggressively trims. For all we know, this could be an every 3-4 week light going over just to keep things nice, and maybe the farrier's been out occasionally just to check things, and has said "well done, keep it up and call if you have ANY questions".

I'm just not going to slam Mud for doing something that isn't agreed with by everyone. I'm thinking we could all "agree to disagree" so long as Mud's ponies aren't turning up lame.

[Yann]

Firstly it is an offence to trim or shoe your own horse or pony without any nessasary qualifications.

Wrong! It's nothing of the sort. It's an offence to trim a hoof to prepare it for application of a shoe, nothing else.

Trimming a hoof is not rocket science. These fancey new EP seem to like to make it out to be some kind of magical trim that farriers can't do.

Agree completely, and on both points to be honest ;) However if all farriers trimmed to the same standard as the 'specialists' then the 'specialists' wouldn't stay in business. I've seen plenty of not very good farrier trims, and a few appalling ones, it does seem to be seen as a second class service by some of them.

I trim my own horses, I have my work checked periodically by professionals and my horses are none the worse for it, quite the opposite IMHO.

[wonkeywoody]

Firstly it is an offence to trim or shoe your own horse or pony without any nessasary qualifications.

NO IT ISNT, It Is an offence to shoe someone else's for money!

I've tidied up my horses' feet for years. Was taught how to by my farrier and also how to remove a loose shoe.
Having recently returned to barefoot, I got a fab DVD from Auz on trimming. Its not rocket science and the DVD shows you EXACTLY what you are looking for. Sure if my horse needed correction trimming I wouldnt do it or shoes for that matter.
A farrier came to the yard a few weeks ago. He checked my horses feet (I'd trimmed 2 days earlier). He took off 2 little areas he said needed more off but apart from that I'd done a sound job.

If you dont want to try something thats up to you but dont knock others'....

[jaydevon]

id have to agree and disagree, 1st of all there are no laws that say you can not TRIM your horses hooves, the laws are only about actual shoeing,

the lady where i keep my horses does her own horses feet and to be honest id like to report her to the rspca at some point, all of her horses feet crack, or splay out

a thought id put to mud is do you know enough about the length shape and white line to be going any where near even a miniture pony? if it is just a pet then it will proberley not be lame, but actual in work barefoot horses could be crippled by somebody that really dos'nt have a clue!

[joosie]

Wrong! It's nothing of the sort. It's an offence to trim a hoof to prepare it for application of a shoe, nothing else.

How does the law differentiate between preparing a hoof for a shoe, and simply trimming for the purpose of trimming? Surely someone could just say they weren't doing it to prepare for a shoe?

[Mud]

Firstly I want to thank all of you for the comments,even those who disagree with my methods.

perhaps we should just agree to disagree.;)

I studied methods on farriering for 2 years before I tried,watched some educational videos,read papers,magazines and read 6 or 7 books on proper trimming...I would never ever try and do correctional trimming,but I give her hooves a nice neat trim every few weeks when they need it.She is not lame and her hooves are properly shaped.I can post some pictures for you to prove she is ok,I use good common sense..If anything I questionable comes up I get advice form someone who knows more about it.

She is a miniature horse and she never really goes anywhere but her pasture and her stable,sometimes we go for a walk.

I would NEVER want to do anything that I thought would injure my baby,and if I didn't feel pretty confisent that I was not making her go lame I would not be doing it.

[Kecka~Rocka]

i know i would never try it, incase i did something wrong. Would be intersting to see the finished project if you can take some pictures?

[Snow_Pony]

I'd happily trim my own horses feet, good on you OP for learning. Ignore those who make unpleasant comments. Be very interested to see piccies too!

[Yann]

How does the law differentiate between preparing a hoof for a shoe, and simply trimming for the purpose of trimming? Surely someone could just say they weren't doing it to prepare for a shoe?

I presume it's as simple as the fact that if no shoe is applied to the foot further to it having been trimmed, then no offence has taken place :) A few mischevious people have tried to argue that fitting hoof boots after a trim constitutes some sort of offence though ;)

[MelanieD]

Trimming a hoof is not rocket science. These fancey new EP seem to like to make it out to be some kind of magical trim that farriers can't do.


Agree nothing at all magical about the trim EPs do, I can do it :D (not that I do stick to exactly that trim most of the time, do a few things differently, but I do know how to do it!). But, can't think of one single farrier in my area whose work I've seen that does trim that way, actually seen some pretty cr*p trimming from farriers around here.

I have no problem with unqualified people trimming as long as they know what they are doing and when to call in someone more experienced.

I trim my own and a few friends horses. I'm trimming a few horses for friends at the moment whose feet have improved compared to how they were when done by a farrier, no idea why the farriers weren't doing a good trim 'cos it isn't bl**dy difficult :rolleyes:

How does the law differentiate between preparing a hoof for a shoe, and simply trimming for the purpose of trimming? Surely someone could just say they weren't doing it to prepare for a shoe?

The lack of presense of a shoe would clear that one up quite nicely ;)

[Tatooed Lady]

Here's a scenario for you...a horse is bought by someone that's never had a horse before (me), is kept at a farm, needs hooves trimmed, but the on-site farrier keeps saying he'll get to her hooves "when they need it". New owner(me again) is in a tizzy because the front hooves look like this:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/fronthoovesneedtrim.jpg
and the one rear that she's chewing her fingernails over looks like this:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/rearhoofcrack.jpg
The other rear doesn't have the quarter crack. When I made an appointment for a barefoot specialist to come out, I was told to go ahead and cancel it (like 2 days before she came out), because he was going to trim my mare's hooves, along with the other draft at the farm.
Now...IF someone else at the yard would have been able to trim her hooves, some of the damage (and most likely discomfort) could've been avoided.
This is why I want to be able to do the basics. To avoid quarter cracks, chipping and cracking, the flaring....and I can COMPLETELY see why others would want to be able to do at least MINOR rasping, shaping, whatever....
By the by, I also trim my dogs' nails! :eek: :D

[Peter Laidely]

G’day All!!!

I have been lurking around this forum for a little while and I have noticed a few of my UK friends here…

I would like to Say “Good on ya” Mud!!!!

Someone suggested that you may be a bit “youthful” so I would like to tell you that I was about sixteen when I was given the use of a horse… and it came complete with a second-hand hoof rasp and a strong warning that if the feet ever were neglected, I would get my backside tanned.

I grew up believing that it was normal to brush my teeth and to keep my nails and my horse’s feet trimmed… And I have….

No, it is NOT rocket science, but that doesn’t mean we should not respect the skills of the trimmers, farriers, and owners who do learn how to correctly care for our horses…

The EPs do not do anything that a correctly trained farrier could not do… But they do not do anything bad or sloppy either… If you can get an EP or UKNHCP trained trimmer to help, or to “look over your shoulder” you can be confident that they will know what they are doing and what they are talking about…

And there are some farriers who are just as good… unfortunately there are also farriers who have been trained for generations that God made a mistake when he designed horses feet and that they need to be trimmed to unnatural shapes and have pieces of metal nailed on to them…

One of the best things about the folk who have been learning about Natural hoofcare, whether they are owners or trimmers, is that they will also have learned that it is primarily about Management… Not just trimming…

And that brings me to answer “Tatooed Lady”… Thanks for the pictures, (I love hoof pickies):

Yes I agree with you that all owners should be able to “do the basics” and you obviously have a good knowledge of the subject, however as well as the cracking and major flaring (which are caused by incorrect or neglected trimming) this horse is a good example of “Management” challenges.. and you will need to get on top of the diet which affects the horrible “event lines” and check out the extensor muscles on the left fore that has a distinct “steep” foot…

Perhaps you also could get a trusted farrier or trimmer to guide you as you continue to learn??
Peter Laidely

[joosie]

The lack of presense of a shoe would clear that one up quite nicely ;)

:D LOL. That's not exactly what I meant though!! I meant, why is it okay to trim a hoof just for the purpose of trimming it but not to prepare for a shoe - a bad trim is a bad trim whether you put on a shoe or not, so why is trimming allowed at all? Or disallowed at all?

[Sexy Sietske]

Depends what the horses feet are like to be fair. My old gelding and my current mares feet I would do myself as they only ever need the rasp whipping around. However my current gelding is slightly pigeon toed and he his feet grow for england!! (is over reaching and farrier not due for 2 weeks) he always has almost a cm taken off (more off the inside) and because of his unlevel growth I dont feel as though I could trim them to keep them level and comfortable for him. Having said that I could probably have done a better job than the old farrier :rolleyes:

[senjj]

:D LOL. That's not exactly what I meant though!! I meant, why is it okay to trim a hoof just for the purpose of trimming it but not to prepare for a shoe - a bad trim is a bad trim whether you put on a shoe or not, so why is trimming allowed at all? Or disallowed at all?

I think the act was worded like that because at the time it was drawn up no-one imagined anyone apart from a farrier and the odd horse owner out in the sticks (unable to get a farrier) would want to trim horses.

The issue of booting is actually a grey area within the farriery act and the only reason why we get away with fitting boots as practitioners is that they are temporary. If you want to affix any permanent structure to a horses foot you must be a farrier or a vet.

[Wally]

There are loads of folk keeping their ponies feet in good order themselves. it is far better for good amateurs to keep a pony's fete trimmed and neat than letting them get out of order and like Ali Baba's slippers as is so often seen in cases of neglect.

[Mud]

I would like to thank everyone for your comments,even those who strongly disagree.

I would like to comment again and say that,just to clarify,I do NOT do anything major without seeking a more learned adult.Maggie has good hooves to start with and I trim them when they need it...they very thankfully have never had any major problems other than a few chips out of the side,she is not pigeon toed in anyway and her hooves grow strait.

I respect very much real farriers who know more of what they are doing,and I shall start having a trusted farrier come and check my progross more often thatn not....yes,I am a younger member,but I am not stupid and would never dare to suggest I knew as much as a real "farrier" nor would I consider trimming anyone elses horse.

thank you Peter Laidely for all of your comments.:)



very soon,I shall post pictures of Maggie's hooves,so some of you can rest assured that I am not causing her to be lame.I will get a proffesional in more ofton to check my progress and help me learn.:)

[Pink's lady]

I trim my horses feet. They get their toes rolled regularly and the excess length taken off the heels. The farrier check then every time he comes out to do Kim's fronts and says they absolutly fine. Both are gravel crunchers who will walk over anything, although Kalli does have an annoying quarter crack that just won't go away.

[Tatooed Lady]

as well as the cracking and major flaring (which are caused by incorrect or neglected trimming) this horse is a good example of “Management” challenges.. and you will need to get on top of the diet which affects the horrible “event lines” and check out the extensor muscles on the left fore that has a distinct “steep” foot…

Perhaps you also could get a trusted farrier or trimmer to guide you as you continue to learn??
Peter Laidely

That was how her feet were BEFORE I'd got a grip on juggling the what's what of horse care. They're MUCH better now (I have no recent photos similar angle/etc as those....that's next project), we're having them trimmed BEFORE they start to chip off, trying to reshape and get rid of the flare and the cracks associated with them. I'm assuming that the "event lines" you're talking about are the wavy lines toward the top of her hoof, but what is a "steep" foot?

Also, her diet's changed a LITTLE. I've started to offer her a pound or so of good quality grain when I go to see her....oh, and treats. :D I think I'll have to put hoof supplements in treats...mmmmmmmm, treats....did I mention that she loves treats??

Sorry to hijack the thread. *lol* I got rather carried away.

[Peter Laidely]

G’day Tattooed Lady!!!

Ohh.. too much information and too many questions for this thread…

What about posting some current pickies on a new thread…

I am “about” at home for a few weeks and then I will be off travelling again so if you want to do something soon, it should make an interesting discussion.

Peter Laidely