Hi Tracey,

It is the general wear that is the natures way of trimming. I watched the video too and discussed it with my Farrier. She had great input that made total sense. There are other factors to consider which impact the dimensions discussed on the video. Ideally we want the video's suggested ratios but we need to remember that there is always the 'white line' to consider when trimming. I would think with perhaps long term proper trimming, the video's suggested ratio will automatically be attained. The important thing to remember is that it is not an over night deal so our Farriers need to be considerate of that.
Another thing that I have learned from my research is how frog trimming may not be the best thing to do for our horses. A great website that I find very helpful is www.thoughtfulhorseman.com with a newsletter that I have subscribed to get. The website itself is full of GREAT information. I am glad to hear that you are going to be more involved with your horse's farrier work and I hope your farrier is a good one. A good Farrier is certainly a great team member to have.

Thanks for responding "horselover" it makes sense what you say, I'll be going to the website and subscribing for the newsletter as well... just another question, I don't ride but my daughter does, we have a 16.3 thoroughbred who I am sorry to say I'm scared of as he is very skittish and I have been kicked in the chest and had my foot trampled on - both times he got a fright and it was totally accidental and I don't blame him - just circumstances and a learning curve of where not to stand but both times off to the hospital, my daughter has also broken her arm and dislocated her wrist,we were putting him back into work after 6 months as he contracted EI here in QLD and he pigrooted and threw her off - henceforth I'm frightened of him and he knows it and feels it, so I try and stay away from him by 3-5 meters to keep him calm and my daughter takes care of what needs to be done - I'm never far away in case something happens - that's my problem I'm always waiting for something to happen, fortunately my friend in Melbourne is going to take him on and we have just bought a 15.4hh Arab/stockhorse mare, she is nothing like our old horse as our coach took into consideration my uneasiness...she's a blessing Sharon our coach, my question is I don't want to give off nervousness vibes with our new horse so if I learnt to ride on a quiet horse would this help with my nervousness to understand them better, I don't get nervous with most horses as we have an old sassy mare who is 30 and I think she is the greatest I have no problem with her and she is a Arab. Would appreciate any suggestions you may have. I must say I am enjoying the videos as a lot of common sense is used but unless you have been brought up with horses it is second nature, if you haven't [like me] it is a sense that needs to be learned, great work Monty and team.
cheers
Tracey

HI Tracey,

From reading about horses and their senses, you are right on knowing that your horse senses the fear from you. I know when I am unease with something, I leave, visualize what it is that I want done and come back with confidence. I see easily how the horse senses it. It is important that it does not disrespect you so if it turns its behind toward you, shoo him away as if it is YOUR idea to not let him close. I have noticed when I do that several times, it establishes that YOU are the leader and that changes things quite a bit. Monty always says to leave the session on a positive note so make sure you do that. My best advice is to leave the stall, calm down, visualize, watch yourself step by step doing whatever it is that you want done and then go do it. I dont know how tall you are but a tall horse can certainly be a disadvantage to a person that is intimidated to start with. It is great that you are practicing on a milder horse to build your confidence. Let us know how everything goes. I suggest trying the Q&A section of the EOU also and if you have Monty's book, " From my hands to yours' do read it. Do know that it is all in you and your approach and there is no difference between you and those who are able to handle the same horse! :-)

Thanks "Horselover" for your kind response, I will read Monty's book from my hands to yours and let you know how I go, I'm 5'11 so I'm tall but he still scares the bejingoes out of me, I'm going to Melbourne in March for my first riding lesson with my friend who was a coach here in QLD so hopefully butt will stay in saddle, saddle will stay on horse, horse will stay on four legs....lol.
cheers
tracey

They wear it down on rocks as they gallop along.I read a nice piece in one of the Black Stallion books by Walter Fairley.It said something like "His hooves Trimmed upon rocks where he galloped over,his body washed by the rain when he ate.His mane flowed gracefully in the blowing wind".That probably doesnt help but I wanted to write it down because it was such a lovely piece
!!!

Having read Pete Ramey's book and studied his website www.hoofrehab.com I personally removed my 18yr old gelding's front shoes December 2008.He had always been front shod, barefoot behind. His hooves were flat,oval(long toed)with weak inside walls,cracked thrushy frogs and crumbly white soles with a ten to fifteen degree rotation of the pedal bones.He had recurrent shoulder lamness on the nearside ...and a stiff and stilted gait..head always cocked to one side ...he was ready to be retired.....
After I took his shoes off...took me an hour.. bless his patience with me.. ... I started regularily,little at a time,rasping out any flaring and putting in the mustang rolls and generally encouraging his feet to reform which they have done in spectacular fashion!!
I took photos at three monthly intervals and they tell such a big story and he did it all himself with next to no intervention from me ,only regular rolling and thrush treatment.His frogs shed all by themselves and underneath were new perfect ones,same with the nonexistent bars, they grew in fat and cuved then little by little they grew straighter and opened out as did his heels,he is now running around over my dry rocky land like a four year old and just as nimble.I hardly have to trim anymore.I used rubber boots when I rode out only in the first months till he caloused his own soles,they are wonderful now,real gravel crushers!

Hey Rachel, just catching up on old news. I have never shod my horse. I have been told in my circle of horse people (jumpers) that I will need too cuz the hooves will wear and chip. Well, nope. I did have to treat for thrush this spring and pete rameys goo works just like he says. In fact, I suspect my horse had contracted frogs last summer. Now, they have really opened up and my trimmer on last visit said his angles have changed, for the better. My trimmer trims to the depth of collateral grooves - and my horse is very good in the show ring, without shoes:)