The Complete Horseshoeing Guide

366 Pages·1995·1.72 MB·English

by  Robert F. Wiseman

title: The Complete Horseshoeing Guide
author: Wiseman, Robert F.
publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
isbn10 | asin: 0806127198
print isbn13: 9780806127194
ebook isbn13: 9780806171722
language: English
subject Horseshoeing, Horses--Diseases.
publication date: 1973
lcc: SF907.W65 1973eb
ddc: 636.1/08/33
subject: Horseshoeing, Horses--Diseases.
Page i
The Complete Horseshoeing Guide
Page ii
Horseshoe Variations: This display illustrates some of the commercial,
modified, and handmade shoes that can be used. There are hundreds
of variations, but these shoes show the main principles involved.
Page iii
The Complete Horseshoeing Guide
Second Edition
by
Robert F. Wiseman
Norman
University of Oklahoma Press
Page iv
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wiseman, Robert F.
The complete horseshoeing guide.
Bibliography: p. 264.
1. Horseshoeing. 2. HorsesDiseases.
I. Title.
SF907.W65 1973 636.1'08'33 72-9279
ISBN: 0-8061-1049-X (cloth)
ISBN: 0-8061-2719-8 (paper)
Copyright © 1968, 1973 by the University of Oklahoma Press,
Norman, Publishing Division of the University. All rights reserved.
Manufactured in the U.S.A. First printing of the second edition, 1973.
First paperback printing, 1995.
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Page v
I dedicate this book to my wife, who has been willing to forgo many of
today's luxuries and share her husband for many long hours with
horses in order that this book, which is the end result of those
endeavors, may be written.
Let it be our contribution to the horse industry of the future.
Page vii
Preface
This book has been written for both the professional farrier and the
pleasure-horse owner who wants to do his own shoeing. I have tried to
present a practical book of basic principles and methods so that, after
studying it, you will be able to do a normal job of shoeing without
damage to the horse or his action, and can understand the reason for
doing what you do. At the same time I have tried to make it as
detailed and complete as possible so that it may be used as a
reference. Since the subject is a serious one, I have tried to show the
humorous side also. Good books aren't written, they are rewritten.
This revised edition is much more complete than the original.
Horseshoeing is an art and offers a real challenge to a man who loves
horses and is willing to study and strive for improvement. There is
always something new to learn and a better method to master. Shoeing
provides pride of accomplishment, and a good farrier quickly earns
the respect of those who know enough about his work to understand
some of his problems. Shoeing is hard work, but once skill is attained
and good equipment
Page viii
used, it becomes less difficult. It is said there is something about the
outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man, and the farrier
knows this is true.
This book does not deal specifically with anatomy; the subject of
anatomy, however, is basic to horseshoeing. Competence includes a
thorough understanding of how a sound horse is put together so that
an unsound one can be recognized and corrected.
Before proceeding, the reader should be aware that there are two
methods of shoeing: hot and cold. In early days shoes were made from
iron bars as they were needed. Later hot shoe "blanks" became
available. These are heated and cut to size. At present, cold shoeing is
the most common method because it requires less skill and equipment.
The cold shoes available today are high-quality shoes and so cheap
that it doesn't pay to make handmade shoes except when they are
needed in special circumstances. Both methods of shoeing, however,
are covered here.
This book had its origin in the desire to record for future generations
information that is becoming lost in many parts of the world. I have
based the material upon my own experience, instruction at the
horseshoeing school I attended, the experience of old-time farriers,
and associated reference material.
I hope you like this book.
ROBERT F. WISEMAN
BURNS LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Page ix
Contents
Preface page vii
The Anvil of God's Word 2
I. Basic Principles 3
Hoof Care 3
Hoof Functions 5
Breeding for Better Feet 9
How to Judge Hoof Quality 12
Alteration of the Foot 13
How Often to Reshoe 14
Handling the Feet 16
Types of Shoes 19
What Is a Good Job? 21
His First Set of Shoes 24
Locating Lameness 26
Weight 32
Hoof Angle 35
Safety 37
II. ToolsTheir Care and Use 40
Shoeing Tools 40