My draft horse-again

Question
I e-mailed you previously about my draft horse and greatly appreciated the response. I now have another problem. My horse was doing fine with the french farrier but everyone at my stable started to have problems with their horses that he was doing. I switched to another farrier who said my horses shoes were too small for him. He rasped the outside of the hoof wall and I can see bruises all over his front feet only. They are at the top, middle and close to the bottom. They are about 1 inch -2 inches.  Is this caused by too small of a shoe? My horse also tends to paw the ground at feeding time and occasionally relaxes with his feet up on corral bars. He is not limping or (as far as I can tell) in any pain. I don't know know how long the bruising has been there as none of my previous farriers clean up the outside of the hoof. If he hadn't done this I would never have known about the bruises. You could not see any purple/redness from under the foot where he trimmed the hoof. He also put thicker shoes with a front clip on. Everyone on the farrier site for my area is not accepting new clients or so high priced I cant afford them.

Answer
HELLO CINDI...GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN...

Shoes that are too small or pinched/improperly applied can cause a certain amount of bruising...USUALLY to the sole.

Heavy horses,warmbloods and such (especially if they have white hooves) will show brusing more easily. The fact that he "paws" can cause shock and small bruising to the outer wall. There is (3) layers
of "stratum" of the hoof wall. Kinda like "plyboard" to protect the horse's lamina. The reason for NO lameness is because of the density
of a wall on a draft horse. NOT TO SAY it couldn't happen...

The fact that the "other farrier" put on a bigger, wider shoe w/toe clip is VERY good. More protection, more support and the toe clip
takes "stress" off the wall and keeps the shoe "where it belongs".

The last of your question...seems like you might be asking for me to help with your decision ?? Top farriers are not easy to "get with"
because they fill their schedules fast and work too many hours.
MOST OF THE TIME IN THE FARRIER WORLD...90% ... you get what you pay for. Bargain prices bring poor/shoddy work and alot of disappointment!!  Draft horses are more expensive because of the time,material and more "wear & tear" on the farrier's bodies.

Sounds like you are in a good direction with this new farrier...
Hope it works for you !! If I haven't mentioned it to you before,
you can contact the American Farriers Assoc. or the Guild of Pro
Farriers and get a broad range list of qualified farriers.
Just a thought...

Take Care and Best to you...
Joepaul