My client's old gelding taught me a lesson about hoof angles I won't forget

I had a buddy (who's not even a farrier, just a horse owner) call me out last Tuesday after I finished trimming his 18-year-old gelding. He said something like 'you sure that toe isn't too long? he's been stumbling on the trail.' At first I got a little defensive (you know how it is). But I pulled out my hoof gauge and checked, and sure enough I had the angle at 52 degrees instead of the 55 I should have been aiming for on that breed. I ended up re-doing the whole trim right there in his driveway, and the horse walked off way smoother. It stung my pride a little but it made me realize I've been rushing my angle checks on older horses with worn feet. Has anyone else had a non-farrier teach them something about their own work?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendygrant2d ago

Man that's a rough one but I bet it stuck with you pretty good. Did you ever figure out if it was just the rush that caused it or was something about that gelding's foot shape making it harder to see the right angle? I've seen older horses with collapsed heels that trick my eye too especially if I'm not paying close attention. Wondering if you changed your routine after that like do you always double check with the gauge now on any senior horse? It's wild how a guy just watching from the ground can spot something we miss when we're in the zone.

the_john2d ago

Hell yeah it stuck with me. I used to be one of those guys who thought I could eyeball it no problem, but that gelding taught me different. His heel was pretty collapsed on one side, and @wendygrant you're spot on about that tricking your eye. I was rushing and just didn't see it. Now I grab the gauge on any horse over 15, no exceptions. A buddy once told me from the ground that my left front looked off and I waved him off like a fool. Never again.