Service Scheduling
How often should you have your farrier trim or shoe your horse? Well, that all depends on your horse and the growth rate that the horse has. The younger horses need to be trimmed more often because their hooves are growing at a faster rate than the adult horses. Nutrition, excerise, age, climate, etc...all play a role in how the feet grow, and how fast or slow the growth rate is.
As a general rule every 8 weeks is sufficient for adult horses (ages 2 and up). Miniature horses should be on a 6 week schedule. Foals should be on a 3-4 week schedule (from foal to 6 months). Weanlings to Yearlings (ages 6 months to 1 year) should remain on a 6-7 week schedule. This is a very general scheduling system, of course not all horses will fit into this scheduling system, however, your farrier will know what schedule is best for your individual horses needs.
Here are a few guidelines that will help you in knowing when to call your farrier:
1) The horse stumbles due to excessive toe length.
2) The hoof wall is chipping, cracking and/or the shoe is loose.
3) The horse has thrown a shoe.
4) The shoe is thinning out due to wear.
5) The feet are out of balance.
6) Of course for any conditions, injuries that arrise, that need special attention and corrective shoeing done.
7) When you get a new horse it is a good idea to ask your farrier to come take a look at the feet, if not before you buy the horse.
8) Different performances take a different type of shoe for protection and to promote optimum performance levels , so call your farrier if you are drasticly changing your horses general performance tasks.
I hope this has been helpful to you. Always remember, that every horse is differnt and what applies to one may not apply to another. Work with your farrier and trust their judgement calls.
And last but not least please remember that your farrier is not god, we can only do so much at a time. Don't expect your farrier to perform miracles in one trimming or shoeing session. Some things just take time to correct.
And by all means...please be nice to your farrier!!! Because remember..."No Hoof...No Horse!" |
