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I used to trim every horse the same way until a bad stumble changed my mind

For years, I'd just knock off the length and roll the toe, same on every foot. Thought I was saving time. Then a big quarter horse I work on in Lexington took a bad step coming out of his stall about six months back. Owner called me, said he was off. Went back, watched him move, and saw his breakover was way off. I'd been trimming him like a light horse, but he's built heavy and needed a different angle. Now I spend a full extra ten minutes just watching each horse walk before I even pick up a hoof knife. I look at the wear, the way they land, the whole deal. It's more work, but I haven't had a single call back for lameness since. Anyone else have a moment that made you slow down and really look at the individual animal?
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2 Comments
hannahhayes
Wait, you were only spending an extra ten minutes? That seems crazy fast to me now.
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alex_king
alex_king18d ago
Is ten minutes really that fast?
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