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Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 04, 2002 - 08:00 am: | 
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My wife and I was watching a program on the history of the horse on animal planet this morning, and we started talking about shoeing them. I can remember from when I was a kid that the blacksmith would come in and reshoe my grandparents horses from time to time, but I can't for the life of me remember how often that was done. How often do you have to reshoe a horse Karen? |
KJ
| | Posted on Saturday, May 04, 2002 - 09:41 am: |
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Hi Axel,
Quick note before lessons this morning, but to answer your question, there is a range in shoeing intervals. Foot growth is dependent upon several factors, including time of year, amount of regular exercise (regular exercise encourages growth), nutrition, etc. Also, all horses need trimming, but only some need shoes. Of my twelve only two wear shoes, and only front shoes at that. The rest do well barefoot, which is the best option for horses that have good feet and don't have a need for shoes because of the activities they are involved in. Having said all that, I do my horses rather often, because they get consistant year-round work and because I don't want some attorney coming along and saying their client fell from one of my horses because the horse's feet were too long and caused it to trip. I usually have the farrier out every five weeks or so, which is considered very frequent. Six to eight weeks is more what most folks do, but I've never felt that was adequate. The farrier sometimes tries to stretch the intervals longer, but I tell him to shut up and use my $$ to make his boat payment. Speaking of, it's time for me to go earn his boat payment money right now, TTYL.
Karen  P.S. A farrier is different from a blacksmith, does anyone know the defining point? People do tend to interchange the terms, but there's one major difference.... |
Michael Villanueva (Michael)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 04, 2002 - 10:21 am: |
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Ummm... I thought the farrier did actual pedicures, while a blacksmith would not. |
KJ
| | Posted on Saturday, May 04, 2002 - 11:28 pm: |
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Michael,
You're onto it I think. A blacksmith *may* shoe horses, or may only do other iron work (fences, ornamental pieces, etc.). A farrier is a horseshoer, but may also do blacksmithing. They both tend to drink lots of beer, chew tobacco and otherwise be free spirits or assholes, depending on how much you like them (G).
Karen |
Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 05, 2002 - 01:31 am: |
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I used the term blacksmith, because the norwegian term used when I watched this as a kid was something similar to that, and I have never heard the term farrier until now. You learn something new every day. At any rate, I remember watching him come in, pull the shoes off, clean out the hooves with something that to me looked like a hammer and chisel. When finished, he would put the shoe back on. These horses were thoroughbread race horses. My grandfather had 25 of them at one point but by the time I was born, there were only 2 left. He did win a lot of prices over the years, and when my grandparents passed away, I inherited some of them. I have two silwer platters with a "Norwegian Jockey Club" emblem on them, pretty cool stuff. We got to ride the horses as kids, and we learned to clean out the stable, brush the horses and so on. The good old days..... |
Kim S (Roverine)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 05, 2002 - 04:11 am: |
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Okay I'm busted, checking in this late at night before I go to bed ...
This thread has definately done my heart some good. Thanks Axel, Thanks Karen.
I really miss my horses, but I made a concious (hard) decision to give them up ... Yep, I reminisce and yearn for those days sometimes. KJ: I know what that award is (that was bestowed on you,) and you ARE awesome. I hope some know what that award truly means and the signifigance of it in your line of passion/ hard work.
Kim
FWIW: My favorite "baby" of my horses went shoeless, with farrier work done about once a month or so. She was mostly "A-Rab", (horse talk for Arabian) with about 1/4 or so Quater Horse (as far as we could figure).
Have a good day, all.
Kim |
Chris Dillard (Cdillard)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 05, 2002 - 10:44 am: |
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Thought that I would chime in on this one! We have two T-breds both which are used for Foxhunting here in the Southern Region of the US. Normally we have our horses shod about every 6 weeks depending on the conditions. We have a great farrier who shoes hot and cold and also does corrective shoeing. Shoeing is definately an art and not just any "ol farrier" can do the job. You have to remember your horses feet/shoes are what can make or break soundness. A good, competent farrier is worth his/her(very few women though) weight in gold! Especially on the night before a meet.
Cheers,
Chris |
KJ
| | Posted on Sunday, May 05, 2002 - 06:52 pm: |
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Kim,
Thanks for the kinds words. If only that award came with a little cash as part of the "appreciation", I'd take a vacation (G). Silver bowls and the rest are nice, but a little time off does a body good.
I admire the decision you made to give up your horses. Too often people don't do the right thing when they run out of time for their equines, and no question the animals can suffer, even if it's only from loneliness. Tough call to make, but it doesn't mean you'll never own horses again. Everything in it's time, you know? I'm in the process of buying another Arabian. I have one full Arab and one 3/4 Arab I've had for years. I have many different breeds of horses. As long as they are kind and generous souls they have a home here for life. BTW, have you ever seen an Arab with bad feet? Me, neither (G).
Chris, good to see another horse person on this bb! I once had a really wonderful lady farrier, but after about 10 years her back had had enough. Her husband took over for her, and he was good, too. You're right about the value of a good farrier. The farrier I've had for several years now is a real character. He has an engineering degree, was in the Military, and has wheeled 4WD vehicles since he could drive a car. We have a lot of interesting conversations, though I confess I probably know his ass-end better than his face! LOL!
Karen |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Monday, May 06, 2002 - 08:56 am: |
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karen. another horsey question for ya!! my only experience in the past with horses was with only a handful.....a dutch warmblood, a few quarter horses, a draft horse and some others in there. never really got 'into' horses due to a lack of time and $. my ex was VERY much into them and use to show (jumpers) at Devon quite a bit. that was when i started getting interested again.
my next house will hopefully have at least 10 acres and enough room for a horse or two. depending on the surrounding properties as well.
i have seen more and more ex-race horses being given to our local SPCA. others are just horses that had been abused and come from all over.
do you have any experience or knowledge about these horses? or are these just better off being 'pasture' horses?
thanks |
KJ
| | Posted on Monday, May 06, 2002 - 03:16 pm: |
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gp,
Donated horses are at best a mixed bag. Generally, I don't think I'd recommend them if you want a nice pleasure horse. Many of those horses have soundness issues, or poor training or have been badly abused. I've had nice horses that have been abused, and always take a lot of pleasure in rehabbing them, but that said, I'm picky about the ones I take. It's a huge undertaking, and if you have a daytime job away from home, and limited experience, it's a scenario for frustration or injury. If you want a nice horse, get something really trained and that has been kept up with in terms of health maintenance and work. You're in that good college town, I'll bet a lot of coeds will be giving up their horses during their college years. Great way for you to troll for chicks, too (VBG).
Karen |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Monday, May 06, 2002 - 03:30 pm: |
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thanks. yeah there are plenty of other places to get horses around here of course, but just like to consider giving an SPCA horse a good home. i mean 90% of the dogs that i have gotten or been around from the SPCA are more intelligent and healthier than pure breeds in many cases.
i have a friend (woman with a Rover no less) down the street that has several horse sources in town though, but not much experience with SPCA horses. she does have/had one that she got in the pittsburgh area SPCA that does like to kick though. otherwise it is fine.
just need to fine some land or land with house now. |
KJ
| | Posted on Monday, May 06, 2002 - 03:58 pm: |
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gp,
Try land in NC. Bubba Bojangles might have summat fer sale!
Karen ;) |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Monday, May 06, 2002 - 08:58 pm: |
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yeah but then i would be forced to date my relatives and spray paint the '#3' on the side of my truck. ugh. PA is just fine for me. we have enough good ol boys to keep us entertained for now. |
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