Had a client call me out on my hoof trimming and it stung but helped

This older guy with a 25 year old mare watched me work last month and said I was taking too much heel too fast. He showed me his horse was landing toe first after I left and I had to admit he was right. Any of you guys ever had a client teach you something you thought you already knew?

2 comments

2 Comments

stone.simon17d agoProlific Poster

The real issue here isnt just about heel depth, its about the horse's age. A 25 year old mare has completely different hoof mechanics than a younger horse. Their joints are stiffer, their tendons have less give, and their soles are typically thinner and more sensitive. Taking too much heel on an older horse messes with their natural landing pattern and can actually cause them to land harder, not softer. That old guy probably learned the hard way over decades of trial and error. Sometimes the most valuable lessons come from the clients whove been around the block longer than us.

shane_nguyen17d ago

@stone.simon you're spot on about the age thing, but I'd push back a little on the sole thickness - older horses actually tend to get thicker soles from all the years of growth and wear, not thinner, so that part is a bit backwards.