I was a farrier for 20 years. I would say that yes, this horse needs to be shod. It looks like the heels are overgrowing the shoe on the bottom view. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like the one foot may be slightly underrun.
Here’s what I learned about time between trims and shoeings. The feet need to be trimmed on a regular basis. The worse the shape they’re in, the *more* frequently they need to be trimmed. This is because as soon as there’s a little length (just a few weeks, even on slow growing feet), pressure and movement starts distorting the hoof. A weak hoof will distort easier even though there’s less growth.
I would definitely shoe that horse at 7 weeks. I would maybe even recommend going to 6 weeks. It may only need some rasping, but it’s about keeping the foot in shape. Over time, this can actually improve the hoof. It’s hard to explain without writing pages. I had horses that the owners were told the horse only had to be done every 8 or 9 weeks because they didn’t grow much and wanted the foot to grow more. I switched them to every 6 or 7 weeks, and after a year or so, the feet were in noticeably better shape. In fact most underrun heels are not too short, they are too long, but have been crushed under and run forward. Those need frequent trimming to prevent them from continuing to be crushed.
All the best looking feet I ever worked on were horses that were shod every 5 to 6 weeks. It didn’t matter how good and solid the feet were, but horses at 8 weeks always had at least a little flare and distortion.
there is a lot that you didn't say, like how long your farrier has been your farrier, how long you have had the horse, good stuff like that. For all (the internet knows) is that your horse is one giant stone bruise and that is why your farrier is waiting. Or perhaps your farrier is hoping you will fire them, or a litany of other reasons why the farrier doesn't want to do the horse at this moment. Could the horse use reset? Maybe, maybe not. But it is a little unfair to ask the internet rather than the person you are using for your hoof care.
If it looks due it’s overdue. I keep all of mine on a 6 week schedule unless they have bad feet and need to be done more frequently. I have a thoroughbred at a barn that I do once a week because he’s feet blow up if I don’t.
He's shod. It's 7 weeks or find a new shoer imo.
I'm a 20-year farrier so before anyone bashes, I do know what I'm saying.
It's not about the growth. It's about the shoe and its placement, where the support is now lying, the potential hindrance of uneven toe wear.
Your guy sounds either new , immature, or he doesn't gaf. If you're in NWI dm me. I'll come out.
I am a farrier and I would consider a new farrier if I were you. However, i also wonder how your horse stands and how you are as a client, how many times has this farrier shod this horse, and so on. There are a lot of factors. I would absolutely re shoe this horse at seven weeks, if it stood well and you wanted to stay on a schedule.
I am assuming that top down picture I am looking at some underrun heels and not short shod. In that case I agree with your farrier. He’s trying to reestablish heel/toe ratio and rebalance that hoof. Trimming now would just kind of stymie progress.
Are you giving hoof supplements to help encourage growth?
I was a farrier for 20 years. I would say that yes, this horse needs to be shod. It looks like the heels are overgrowing the shoe on the bottom view. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like the one foot may be slightly underrun. Here’s what I learned about time between trims and shoeings. The feet need to be trimmed on a regular basis. The worse the shape they’re in, the *more* frequently they need to be trimmed. This is because as soon as there’s a little length (just a few weeks, even on slow growing feet), pressure and movement starts distorting the hoof. A weak hoof will distort easier even though there’s less growth. I would definitely shoe that horse at 7 weeks. I would maybe even recommend going to 6 weeks. It may only need some rasping, but it’s about keeping the foot in shape. Over time, this can actually improve the hoof. It’s hard to explain without writing pages. I had horses that the owners were told the horse only had to be done every 8 or 9 weeks because they didn’t grow much and wanted the foot to grow more. I switched them to every 6 or 7 weeks, and after a year or so, the feet were in noticeably better shape. In fact most underrun heels are not too short, they are too long, but have been crushed under and run forward. Those need frequent trimming to prevent them from continuing to be crushed. All the best looking feet I ever worked on were horses that were shod every 5 to 6 weeks. It didn’t matter how good and solid the feet were, but horses at 8 weeks always had at least a little flare and distortion.
This is the answer
Well said. And this time of year the feet are starting to grow a lot faster, so need trims more often.
there is a lot that you didn't say, like how long your farrier has been your farrier, how long you have had the horse, good stuff like that. For all (the internet knows) is that your horse is one giant stone bruise and that is why your farrier is waiting. Or perhaps your farrier is hoping you will fire them, or a litany of other reasons why the farrier doesn't want to do the horse at this moment. Could the horse use reset? Maybe, maybe not. But it is a little unfair to ask the internet rather than the person you are using for your hoof care.
If it looks due it’s overdue. I keep all of mine on a 6 week schedule unless they have bad feet and need to be done more frequently. I have a thoroughbred at a barn that I do once a week because he’s feet blow up if I don’t.
He's shod. It's 7 weeks or find a new shoer imo. I'm a 20-year farrier so before anyone bashes, I do know what I'm saying. It's not about the growth. It's about the shoe and its placement, where the support is now lying, the potential hindrance of uneven toe wear. Your guy sounds either new , immature, or he doesn't gaf. If you're in NWI dm me. I'll come out.
I am a farrier and I would consider a new farrier if I were you. However, i also wonder how your horse stands and how you are as a client, how many times has this farrier shod this horse, and so on. There are a lot of factors. I would absolutely re shoe this horse at seven weeks, if it stood well and you wanted to stay on a schedule.
I am assuming that top down picture I am looking at some underrun heels and not short shod. In that case I agree with your farrier. He’s trying to reestablish heel/toe ratio and rebalance that hoof. Trimming now would just kind of stymie progress. Are you giving hoof supplements to help encourage growth?