Before and After Hoof Pictures

I was going to post some pic's of the hooves we trimmed yesterday and I labeled them all on a piece of paper as to which hoof it was, BUT, when they downloaded in the puter, they weren't in order!

So, instead I thought I would post some pic's of what their hoof looked like before when our traditional farrier was doing all of the trimming.

The before pic's were 10 weeks post trim. He liked to have us on a 12 week schedule and I had to plead with him to come back in 10 weeks. I finally convinced him to come back a bit early when I told him I was having trouble with my horse tripping after about 6-8 weeks post trim.

My husband and I are still trying to grow out a good hoof on them. We started in November. We are very much still in the process of learning ourselves. Slowly, but surely, we are getting there.

Sorry, I don't know how to make those thumbnail pictures so have to post pictures the only way I know how.

Here are Jack's ( 25+ year old gelding) pics:

Before:


After:

And here are Jetty's (also in her 20's, mare) before pic's: We will be doing our third horse today. He will be 7 years old this year.

Jetty's Before:


After:

Wow, that is a big change;) did it cost extra, since his hooves were so bad?

Good job! I think Jack's heels could come down a teensy bit more, but what a great change! Dealing with farriers was why I learned how to trim too. I no longer have to wait, chase, call, beg or argue with anyone except myself!

No, it didn't cost us any extra to start them out with them looking so bad.

We did have a natural trimmer come and help us the first few times and after that it's just been us.

More heel on Jack. We'll work on that, thanks.

Exactly, same here! Plus the bond it creates with your horse is great!!

I agree, GOOD JOB! Looks like they are coming along very nicely.

Good show, excellent looking hooves. Happy to see at least some people around here care about hoovess.

Luvs2ride, you are so right about the extra bonding. In this awful Wis winter I don't spend half the time with them as the other 3 seasons. This "makes" me spend the time with them and keeps me close to them.

It also has made them tons better at lifting their feet.

I used to not be able to lift up Jack's front hooves after he had some frog surgery years ago. He got in the habit of taking them away from us with all the doctoring we had to do. This has helped that immensely.

My husband and I plan on going back and taking those heels down this weekend.

I don't know why it's taking so long for this to be the norm myself.

Even if a person goes with the traditional way, they should try and teach themselves to at least rasp them in between visits.

When I told my farrier I wanted to do this he was very opinionated about it not working. He says you have to keep it up. Well, he was correct on that, but, it's not so much work the more comfortable a person gets doing it. And, the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience.

They look great! Isn't it rewarding to do your own horses. I know it is for me.

Thanks, and yes, it feels great to be able to look at these hooves rather than the always overgrown, cracked, flaky ones.

I'm hoping to have a safer riding year too. It's no fun cantering and having your horse trip because of their hooves.