Shoeing working horses

[Joshua Kingsley]

I was wondering what the going rate was for shoeing in everyone’s area. I got serious sticker shock when I talked to a couple of farriers about doing the Haflingers. I was quoted anywhere from 250 to 400 for the pair:eek:..
Joshua

[jen judkins]

I don’t shoe my horses very often. I had my saddle horse shod for skijoring season this winter…shoes, studs, pads…the works and that cost me 140.00. I think you will expect to pay at least 100-120 bucks per horse, depending where you are…and that fee assumes your horses stand like rocks for shoeing.

Do they really need shoes? I haven’t found too many situations where mine do. Even in snow and ice…unless they are hauling a really heavy load (or need to go really, really fast:D)…I don’t find they need shoes.

[Jim Garvin]

Josh;

Our Canadian/Percheron cross has a size 4 shoe, and it costs $200.00 for shoes with studs and pads. So, I think the quotes you got seem to be in the ball park for your Haflingers.

[Joshua Kingsley]

Jen, I was doing alot of road driving so I was worried more about them wearing down on the blacktop. That was the motivation for shoes, I wouldn’t need shoes being on all sand here on the farm otherwise.
Joshua

[MNMULE]

I take mine to an Amish Farrier and he charges 25.00 dollars a head for shoeing and 12.50 for trimming. His shoeing cost does not include the cost of shoes but I believe drill tecs run about 12 bucks for 4 shoes so I can take the team down and get out of their easily for under a hundred dollars. I know some people have reservations about the amish. I’ve been lucky I found this guy and have been 110% satisfied with price and quality of work. He doesn’t use a shoeing stock for mine which I like because they don’t need one. Also he’s fast, I can bring all 6 down and be out of there in two hours or less. Never lost a shoe yet. I’m not trying to brag or boast but I’m really lucky to have found this farrier. Just an FYI in case you’re wondering the 6 consists of two light mules, one draft mule, one draft cross a saddle horse and a mini

[Andy Carson]

I have had a couple farriers and they have changed radically different rates. The first one charged about $200 for four shoes. The one I use now charges $120 for 4 new shoes hot fitted with borium and $75 for a reset. He’s a newer guy, and isn’t long out of school, but does a great job. I am glad I shopped around a little. I have heard the Amish can be a lot cheaper, but you have to go pick them up and drop them off. Not very convenient…

[jen judkins]

@Joshua Kingsley 16728 wrote:

Jen, I was doing alot of road driving so I was worried more about them wearing down on the blacktop. That was the motivation for shoes, I wouldn’t need shoes being on all sand here on the farm otherwise.
Joshua

The question is…are they really wearing too much? My experience (and I do alot of riding on black top) is that the stimulus supplied by the harder surface and the hoof growth in response outweighs the wearing effect. Meaning, the hard surface actually produces a harder, more durable foot which wears down more slowly. Just something to consider.

So shoe them if they are indeed getting foot sore from wear on the pavement, but not because you are afraid they will.

[Maxwell]

Another suggestion altogether…buy a set of “Cavallos Simple Boots” or a set of “Easyboot Epics”. I have used both and have had very good success with them. They cost about the same as a set of shoes but I have gotten as much as 3 years out of a pair. That is with riding on every terrian you can imagine. If you only need them when on the road they may last even longer. Also, I have found that it is very rare that a horse actually needs shoes on the back feet no matter what surface you are working on. Leave them barefoot unless they really need the shoes.

[Does’ Leap]

Maxwell:

Have you used/heard of boots for drafts (I assumed you were talking about a riding horse in the previous post)? If so,what is your experience and where do you get them?

George

[jen judkins]

George, Easy Boot makes their whole line including the Epics up to size 4. I’ve got an order in with Renedage Boots (http://www.renegadehoofboots.com) for a custom pair of Ice boots for Reno, but I probably won’t see them till spring:rolleyes:. I had to build a cast of his foot to get these built, and I’m still not sure how much they will set me back.

[Carl Russell]

Shoeing horses is getting to be a lot like the Law. Although there is no doubt a lot of knowledge required, and experience, and skill, this is not rocket science… nor Law. Farmers used to shoe their own horses all the time.

When I started out, it cost me $100 per horse for shoes and setting. Now it would cost $200+.

Although I agree that the natural hoof is the best condition for a horse, shoeing does not have to be detrimental. If you trim accurately, and re-set within appropriate time frames, a healthy and functional foot can be maintained while providing both protection and traction.

I give my horses some barefoot time every year, but the truth of the matter is that working them barefoot can lead to splits and cracked edges, especially in stony fields, gravel roads, and ledgy woodlands. These conditions do make it difficult to get shoes on because of hoof shape and nailing surface, and since I swear by having working horses with significant traction capability, I pay a lot of attention to these situations and try to keep the foot in a way that will allow me the best opportunity to set a shoe when I need it.

There is no way that anyone I know can afford to pay for this type of hoof maintenance. That is why I encourage people to get some training and learn to shoe their own horses. I don’t think you need to go to school in order to shoe your own. If you want to sell professional services, then yes by all means, but to provide yourself with competent hoof care it really can be accomplished by spending time with your farrier, reading, and practicing.

I started as soon as I bought my first horse. All of my mentors shod their own horses, and being made like I am, both physically and mentally, I never questioned it. I could easily see the money I would save, and I could also see the value that the skill could bring to my care of my animals. Not to mention that I use hoof work as one of my integral handling techniques.

I have never hot-shod my horses. I use pre-made pulling shoes and shape them on my anvil, sometimes using the forge if I have to shorten a heel, or something significant, but I always let the shoe cool before nailing it on. I know everybody is all about hot shoeing, and there is another layer of protectionism that goes into the profession, but I have great luck with seating the shoe, and I rarely lose shoes.

Also doing it myself, I can replace thrown shoes, and when it comes to resetting shoes, I can do 2 one afternoon, 2 the next, or wait a week, whatever makes sense for me in the current schedule.

Anyway over nearly 25 years I have saved thousands of dollars, and I have gained thousands of dollars worth of functionality in my working horse operation.

Carl

[jen judkins]

I agree with Carl. I have learned to do my own trimming and if I decided to shoe my horses regularly, I would learn to shoe as well. To me, its part of my responsibility as caretaker, not necessarily about saving money.

I understand why some don’t want to take on the responsibility and there are some quite frankly who shouldn’t. The care of the foot, is extremely important for a working animal. As they say, ‘no foot, no horse’. While, it may not be rocket science, it is a craft that needs careful attention and some education.

[Joshua Kingsley]

I have always trimmed my own drafts and even my ponies. I learned how to reset a shoe from a farrier and have helped shoe my own horses in the past. I have some experience in setting my drafts with shoes when I was logging though I haven’t shod a smaller horse so was hesitant to set any on the haflingers.

The main reason for thinking of shoeing the haflingers is that Charlie is showing some brusing on his front soles as his hoof wall wore down to the sole while on the black top. I am hoping to set shoes to prevent him from going lame while working him still.

On another note I was also thinking that shoes would help with traction while pulling on the slick surfaces I am working on right now.

[Maxwell]

@Does’ Leap 16741 wrote:

Maxwell:

Have you used/heard of boots for drafts (I assumed you were talking about a riding horse in the previous post)? If so,what is your experience and where do you get them?

George

One of my “riding” horses is a Perch/Trakhaner cross…17H and weighs 2000#. I have used these boots on her with good results. The simple boots go to size 6.

http://www.cavallo-inc.com/hoofboots/fit.html

I have seen the easy boots on draft horses as well, they are used on a lot of the carriage horses in amusement parks. I will check to see where I last bought a set and post that as well.

[Maxwell]

@Does’ Leap 16741 wrote:

Maxwell:

Have you used/heard of boots for drafts (I assumed you were talking about a riding horse in the previous post)? If so,what is your experience and where do you get them?

George

George, Here is a link to the easyboot site. If you buy direct from the easycare inc. site you can get the boots up to size 7. The only time I have seen easyboots fall off is on horses with very round hooves with very low heels. The gaiter on the epic really helps with this though. I hope this helps.

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