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That muddy field in Lexington last spring made me rethink my whole approach to shoeing | Farriers - Vivisector

That muddy field in Lexington last spring made me rethink my whole approach to shoeing

I was out at a farm in Lexington Kentucky back in April for a routine trim and shoe on a 5-year-old gelding. Ground was pure mud from all the rain we'd had, about 3 inches deep in the paddock. I popped his front left shoe off during the trim because the nail heads were buried and I couldn't get a good bite. By the time I finished, mud had packed inside my apron pockets and I couldn't find my hoof knife for 10 minutes. Now I refuse to work on anything but packed gravel or dry stalls after a soaking rain. Any of you guys set rules about ground conditions before you'll take a job?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant1555mo ago

Buddy of mine had a similar situation over in Ocala last year. He drove two hours to a farm, got there, and the whole turnout was basically a swamp from three days of straight rain. Couldn't get his truck within fifty feet of the barn without sinking. He ended up shoeing the horse in the aisle of the barn on concrete, which is a whole different kind of headache with slipping and file work. Took him twice as long and he said his back was wrecked for two days after. Now he always calls the barn manager the morning of to check if the ground is solid before he leaves his shop. Ever had a job turn into a nightmare just from the mud alone?

julia_carter615mo ago

Happened to me last spring. Had to shoe a mare in a muddy paddock with a tarp thrown down, ended up eating dirt twice before I gave up and tried the barn aisle.

green.noah5mo ago

You ever just take one look at a muddy paddock and turn right back around? I flat out won't work on anything but dry packed ground or a clean aisle now. Too much time lost hunting for dropped tools or fighting with packed mud.