TIL shaping my own horseshoes from bar stock fixes gait issues better

I got into forging basic shoes from scratch as a side project last fall. Most pre-made shoes just don't match the subtle curves of a horse's foot. By bending the steel myself, I can adjust for things like a slight paddle or winging out. Now I see fewer lame horses coming back for adjustments. Some folks say it's too much work, but it's worth the extra time. I even fixed a draft horse's stride that three vets couldn't figure out. Why pay for mass-produced when you can make it right the first time?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan3041mo ago

Three vets couldn't, but your shoes did.

aaron7161mo ago

Watched an old farrier fix a stubborn mule just by tweaking the shoe angle. He said most people overthink it, but sometimes the answer is in the bend. @blair_taylor, ever see a horse go from limping to trotting in one fitting? Makes you wonder why more folks don't try shaping their own.

blair_taylor1mo ago

How long did it take to get the hang of shaping them yourself? That's some seriously impressive work...