Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Second Hoof Filing Lesson

So today was my second lesson on filing hooves.  (You probably figured that out from the title- huh?)

I went to A's house and we worked on some of her herd.  I am getting better at handling the file.  I only took off one knuckle.  Not bad for my second time around!   I find that I am getting better at spotting things that I have read on line. Such as, bars growing into the frogs, or contracted heels, the beginning signs of a little thrush, or a good all around hoof. Next will be to learn exactly what to do to fix those things that are wrong.

At first I was a little unsure of working on these horses. You see, most of them came to her with really bad hoof problems. So she has been working on them all slowly but surely and although some of them still have issues, the issues are minor compared to what they used to be. I was leery of undoing the good she has done, but I had supervision the entire time, and I only worked with the file. Any nipping or knifing I left up to her.

It was a good experience for me, I enjoyed it a lot.  It is nice to get the feel for the tools, a feel for working under the horse, and to gain some confidence.

I have decided however, and I think that A agrees, having a barefoot specialist come in and consult and get us started on Sassy is the right move.  Especially since she will be coming out of corrective shoeing.   I have a person in mind, will contact her this week and see if she is the right person for the job.  At least I am learning what questions to ask.

Now it is time for me to be off to the job.

Oh before I go.  My first Ranch Versatility event is in Feb. I'm excited because it is a schooling event, which is just what I need. The first day is a clinic and the second is judged by the instructors, more on who makes the most improvement (I think). I was hoping it would be in Queen creek, but it is in Scottsdale.

I haven't gotten in any real riding time with Trax this week, too many other things going on. Maybe Friday.

18 comments:

  1. Hahaha, gloves every single time, dude!

    I'm so happy you're learning more about hooves and learning to trim! It's a great workout, your horses will thank you, and even if you don't take over your own hoofcare, you'll be a much better informed "consumer." Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yep second the gloves advice. :) I used a type that were easy to buy replacements for at our local hardware store. They had white cotton back and a thin rubbery grey coating on the insides of the palm and fingers. Very flexible, could still feel what I was doing easily, but just saved the file ouchies. Oh and because I kept getting my forearms just above my wrists (don't know how just did) I also cut the toes out of a pair of cotton socks and pulled those on over the gloves onto my arms to protect me between shirtsleeves and gloves. Looked weird but worked a treat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good for you! And Ranch horse versatility is a great thing- someday we'll get Rio into that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's cool when you start getting under multiple horses and figuring things out huh?

    Ranch Horse Versatility? (ears perk up)

    Is there a place you go down there for lessons? I'd be interested in driving down to go to some of those and/or doing some clinics. Frosty would appreciate that (probably not, but who cares ;-)...and I'd like to get Little John doing some things too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I don't know much as I am just getting know about what is available around here, but I know people who are members of the AZVRHA here in this state. They say it is a blast and the group of people involved are a ton of fun. Here is the link to the website- http://www.azvrha.org/

      There is an event this month in scottsdale, but it is an AQHA sanctioned event and my little paint pony isn't allowed. The one I am going to is in Phoenix (I know I said Scottsdale earlier) and it is actually a clinic and then a show/competition the next day. The people who teach the clinics are the judges. I think there are 3 or 4 of the clinics this year. I think it is about 300.00 to enter for both days. Also I was told last year that if you attend 3 clinics or events then you are allowed to enter the national finals which is in Queen Creek next November. Also it doesn't matter what state you go to for the events, as long as there are 3.

      I may try to run out the the one this month just to watch and get a feel for how they are run.

      As far as lessons? No I don't really go anywhere for lessons. I just keep riding my horse and try to teach him as much as I can on my own. I went to a trail class clinic last year and try to use the things I learned there to help me, but as far as cow work...I'm in the dark!

      Delete
    2. Oh and just like with Barrel races....in the winter its all happening down here, in the summer its CO. There are a lot of Versatility things in CO.

      Delete
    3. There's a place about 50 miles from my house in CO that has VRH clinics and competitions and I have been wanting to go, but his schedules have always conflicted with my barrel racing/rodeoing. I did go to his cutting clinic one year and had a blast. I was already onto that organization...I do a lot of google searches looking for things to do down here...But thought maybe you had a semi-private place to practice. There is a Sunday team sorting a couple of houses down from me. I haven't been yet to see what their cattle are like, but will probably ride over this Sunday and check it out. :-)

      It's easier to attend different events/clinics down here because so much goes on during the week, when I have time to go vs. CO, where e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. happens on a weekend and I haven't figured out how to be in 2 places at one time yet. ;-)

      Delete
    4. Well looks like I won't be competing or doing any of the clinics for a while anyways. Just got hit with a financial burden that I was not expecting. I would love to try a team sorting some day. Maybe we could team up.

      Delete
  5. Cindy & BEC's there's a lot going on here in the winter which seems backwards to everyone else, but you guys already know, its because of the weather! I hear you on the conflict of schedules. Thankfully the driving events are spaced out, but they still seem to fall on the same weekends as something else. Driving wins out every time for me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Blogger went berserk on me. Sorry for the multi posts.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whoo, blogger is on crack tonight!

    ReplyDelete