Southtxponygirl - 2017-07-12 10:15 AM

Do you have any pictures of your horses hooves? I would like to see how his fronts look since you said hes got problems with them. 

Mrs.Stepniak - 2017-07-12 12:05 PM I'll try and post some

Fun2Run - 2017-07-11 10:42 PM

I've had that problem. New farrier fixed it. Basically, the farrier has to speed up the front breakover (less toe), and slow down the hinds (slower breakover-longer toe).  If that doesn't work, he can square off his hind feet toes (would not be my first choice).

OregonBR - 2017-07-12 11:32 AM After going back and reading the whole thread, does your farrier use a hoof gauge to check angles? I used to use a hoof gauge and a tape measure every time I shod a performance horse to make sure the toes and angles on the front feet were identical to each other and the same with the hind to each other. Then if I had any issues, I would know what I could do to correct for it. He may need to put a wedge shoe on the low angled foot. And I can't stress enough the horse needs to be at the same angle as the pastern. Too steep and they pinch between P3 and P2 on the bottom of the joint. To low and they pinch on the top of P3 & P2 top of the joint. Either will cause problems with pain, affect stride length and performance.

Mrs.Stepniak - 2017-07-12 12:41 PM Pics are too large, how do I resize them?

Mrs.Stepniak - 2017-07-11 8:09 PM I am desperate for suggestions on how to deal with a chronic front shoe puller. Has any one dealt with one and what did you do that helped? He has weak hooves, we are working on that. I use Keratex hoof hardener and bell boots but he overreaches and pulls them clean off. I am open to all suggestions except to get a new farrier. I have had 3 different farriers with this horse and my current guy is fabulous. He is short backed, long strided, nothing I can do about his conformation. TIA!!

IRunOnFaith - 2017-07-12 3:18 PM


Have you looked into an over reach boot such as Veredus Brand boots?
I worked for a lady who kept Veredus Carbon Fiber Shield Over Reach boots on her stud horse at all times. She never had a problem after she bough those over reach boots.  

Mrs.Stepniak - 2017-07-12 3:31 PM I actually looked at those last night, they are pretty pricey but may be worth it in the long run. I'm thinking of trying quarter boots underneath bell boots first but those may certainly be an option. Thanks!

missroselee - 2017-07-12 2:40 PM

I am not going to read through all the posts since my time is always limited....I ready enough comments "new farrier" to not want to read more.

Would changing farriers yet again work?  Possibly.  But not a guarantee.

Some horses just do this.  And it's not because they are messed up, or the farriers suck.  Guess what, some horses have a very naturally LONG stride.  Growing up we were taught the rear foot should land exactly where the front foot was.  I have no idea if this is true or not and it's the last thing I really worry about.  But it's something I have watched as a kid.  And yea, most horses do land like that.

But not all.  My current open 1D horse is the perfect example.  His rear foot will land about 10 inches in front of his front (yes I said 10 inches).  He is 12.  He has competed from SC, to GA/FL, MO, OK, Iowa, etc etc, so he's been around the block more then once.  He has had over a dozen farriers attempt to keep front shoes on him.  Some were ok farriers not doing it right, and some were the best of the best.  We tried EVERYTHING.  The only way to shoe him in order to prevent him from taking them off is to squeeze the front heels in.....BIG mistake for any horse by the way.

So we said screw it.....the SOB just don't wear back shoes........ever....

It works.  For him.  We make it work for us. 

Edited to add that after viewing your photos above, I would change farriers.  I would worry less about him stepping shoes of and worry more about that fact that he is terribly unbalanced, at least that is how it looks in the photos.  When my husband started shoeing all my horses including the open gelding I mentioned above, he wanted to figure out how to make his front feet so he would be less likely to step off shoes.  I told him that he was starting off on the wrong foot and to BALANCE the hoof.  It works.  We worry more about the specific balance then anything.