Picked up a tip about sole thickness from an old timer at a clinic last weekend

I was at a trimming clinic near Lexington and this farrier with 40 years experience said most of us leave soles way too thick on front feet. He showed me how to check with a hoof gauge and aim for a quarter inch or less. I tried it on two horses this week and their movement looked looser almost right away. Has anyone else changed how they trim soles after getting feedback like that?

4 comments

4 Comments

hart.sage27d ago

Does pulling sole thin ever cause bruising on soft ground though?

clark.alex26d ago

You know I've made this exact mistake and the horse probably still tells stories about me to the other horses in the barn. My farrier just shook his head and said "well you learned that one the hard way" while I stood there feeling about two inches tall. At least if the ground is soft the bruises make you look like you cared enough to try something new.

dixon.iris27d ago

Actually I'd argue the opposite happens more often than people admit. If you pull the sole too thin on soft ground the foot can sink unevenly and the thinner section takes way more pressure than it would on firm ground. Seen a few horses end up with footsoreness for days from that exact mistake.

lopez.quinn26d ago

You know I once trimmed a hoof so shallow the horse started walking like it was tip-toeing through a haunted house.