Shoeing a Draft Horse - Tips and Techniques Part 2 (Rear Hoof Trimming)

Michael Wildenstein , Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF), demonstrates how to remove a shoe and trim the rear hoof of a draft horse for farming and general use.

Michael continues from the previous video that worked on the front hoof. He removes a rear shoe following this procedure to remove nails from a crease shoe:

1. Cut or straighten the horseshoe nail clinches.
2. Loosen the nail heads within crease.
3. Use pull off tool to pry heel up to draw nails out.
4. Use pull off tool or crease nail puller to pull nails.
5. Remove nails individually to avoid damaging hoof.
6. Carefully dispose of removed nails.

He then examines the removed shoe for wear and uses this information to prepare the hoof and new shoe. He then proceeds to paring the sole and frog as follows:

1. Clean sole and frog of dirt and stones.
2. Pare point of frog to uniform glossy surface
3. Pare sold at seat of corn to uniform glossy surface.

Next Michael trims and files the hoof.
4. Cut trail at hoof wall edge for nippers to follow.
5. Trim hoof heel to toe.
6. Remove excess hoof wall.
7. Take short (half nipper width- bites.
8. Keep nipper teeth perpendicular to sole.
9. File the sole and hoof level with each other.
10. Clean out the central sulcus and collateral sulcus.
11. File the outside of the hoof.

After filing the outside of the hoof, bruising is notices. Michael explains why and when this would have happened and how to adjust remedy the problem going forward.

After finishing the rear hoof trimming, Michael goes over some more safety tips. He emphasizes the benefit of the horse having exercised before shoeing. Making sure the horse is comfortable is very important.

Michael explains the reason for using a crease shoe as follows:
1. Provides channel for nail heads.
2. Improves traction
3. Can be used to change the heel width.

He then explains the conformation of a work horse and what "base narrow" means in draft horses and why horses have been bred for walking in a furrow.

This video includes an excellent photo with the parts of the foot labeled.

During the entire video, Michael shows us the tools he uses for shoeing draft horses. Michael's gentle temperament and soft voice are a perfect example of how to proceed with horse shoeing a draft horse.

A special thanks to Danny Ward for letting us shoot at his farrier school.

Видео Shoeing a Draft Horse - Tips and Techniques Part 2 (Rear Hoof Trimming) канала Rural Heritage