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I think the 'must use' 3/4 inch nails for keg shoes is overkill for most horses
Last week in Boise, I shod a 1200 lb draft cross with a set of keg shoes using 5/8 inch nails. Everyone at the shop said I was asking for a loose shoe, but the clinches were tight and the horse is moving great. I've been doing this on certain feet for about 3 years now and have had fewer issues with nail bind. Has anyone else had good results going a size down on nail length?
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julia_jones726mo ago
Ever think about how the nail length might change the shoe's balance on the foot? I've found a shorter nail can sometimes let the shoe sit a bit closer to the foot, which might be why you're seeing less nail bind. It probably depends a lot on the hoof wall thickness and angle.
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caleb_ellis6mo ago
Huh, that's a really good point about nail length and balance. So if a shorter nail lets the shoe sit closer, does that mean you're basically changing the shoe's pitch without actually bending it? I'm curious how you decide on the right length for a specific hoof.
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cameron_chen3mo ago
Good rule of thumb is to measure the hoof wall thickness at the toe and the quarter, then go about 1/8 inch shorter than that for your nail length. @caleb_ellis you're right that it changes the pitch a bit, but it's more about keeping the nail from hitting the sensitive laminae on the inside. I've had horses that needed a 2 on the toe and a 3 on the quarter just to get the shoe to sit flat without any gap.
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