Tools of the trade

As a woman who now has been trimming 6 horses for the last 1 1/2 years, I have found the best peice of advice I got from any farrier was you need really good equipment to do this. When I told him I had trimmed horses in the past, but years of typing, filing, roofing barns had played havoc on my wrists/hands; I was not strong enough to trim anymore, he laughed and wanted to look at my tools. He definately showed me where I went wrong. First - my nippers had long handles (for leverage) but the blades went from a pretty good sharp edge to wide very quickly making it difficult to cut through hoof. It was more like a wedge - this is the brand that they well at the farm stores. My rasp was not sharp and I would file and file and file and get next to nowhere. My hoofknife was laughable.

I purchased better stuff - my nippers actually have a double action type leverage deal making them easier to handle - they were about 200 dollars - but x 6 horses they paid for themselves quickly. The best investment I made was for a hoofjack. It is a tough plastic stand that adjusts and has a nylon strap to rest your horses leg comfortably in. I have used that thing on my extra sensitive colt, filly, and what I noticed best was my elder horse General (25). Is extremely arthritic. By not pulling the horses leg out to the side while working on him - was much more comfortable and agreeable to trim. It was AMAZING. BTW I have no interest in this company. I think their tool works well. It also is expensive but it saves your back and makes the horse MUCH more comfy - and also easier to work on because of being comfy. Money well spent. I've had it a year and occassionally miss with my rasp and hit the nylon strap, but it hasn't damaged it much - it's made tough.

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Follow your bliss!

I have a hoof jack as well, it's one of my favorite pieces of equipment.  Money well spent!

What kind of nippers do you have?  Where did you find them?  I use my grandfather's old nippers, he sharpened them up, so they have a nice edge.  They need to be sharpened again though!  I took them to a clinic (they are really rustic and not pretty) and everyone had fancy nippers.  Well, by the end of the clinic, they all wanted to use mine! *LOL*  I don't know though, mine might need a retirement. 

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Dare to be Bare! (Hooved!)

I have been researching hoof jacks - borrowed one from a barn mate.  Did you mention the brand you use?  I might have missed it. 

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The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horses's ears - Arabian Proverb

I use a hoofjack brand hoof jack. It has a green plastic base with a magnet on the side (WOW is that useful). I love it. It is time for me to do my herd again and I'm so thankful I have it. The nippers I've been using I got from Buds nippers in Jackson, Wyoming, I found them on-line. I like them, but they are kind of heavy. Like I said - the price of these things are expensive, but for me with six horses to trim - it was worth it.

 

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Follow your bliss!