Overheard a farrier at the state fair say "rasps are rasps" and I totally disagree

I was standing near the horse barns at the Iowa State Fair last month and this older guy was telling a new farrier that any $15 rasp works the same as a $40 one. He said it like it was just common sense. I held my tongue but man I have had the exact opposite experience after using a cheap rasp on a tough draft horse hoof and spending 20 extra minutes fighting it. Has anyone else noticed a big difference in rasp quality or am I just wasting my money on the pricier ones?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_hall9d ago

Heard you loud and clear on this one. Grabbed a no-name rasp from a feed store last spring and it felt like dragging a brick across the hoof wall. Took me twice as long to get through a basic trim on a Belgian cross, arm was done by the time I finished. The good brands hold their edge way longer and cut cleaner, no comparison. That old timer might be fine on a pony with soft feet but throw him on a muddy draft and he'd change his tune real quick.

anderson.gavin9d ago

Bet that old timer also swears by filing with a flat rock and spitting on it for lubrication. Bet his "secret technique" involves a lot of wrist flicks and grumbling about the good old days too.