Barefoot

Question
Hey Joepaul, I have two horses and do their own feet and keep them bare foot.  Neither have ever been shoed, one is mustang 14 and the other is quarter 3.  I try and keep them both trimmed and rounded (mustang roll).  I get conflicting info on degree for front and rear feet.  I think my front are about 55 and rear is about 50.  Wondering if that is good or am I messing up. I never remove sole and just clean up hanging frog matter.  My specific questions are what is proper degree for front and rear feet?  Should I be removing sole?  Does hoof dressing help or hurt?  I put some one once or twice a month. I usually file down level once a week or so.  If I stay on it, I don't have to trim with nippers, is that OK?

thanks,

Rick

Answer
HEY RICK...THANKS for your question...

My answer will be "two-fold"...
First...I'm impressed!! From what you are telling me, I'm proud of you and how you're keeping up with their hooves!!
IF I was looking at the hooves with you...we (You and I)
would discuss probably different aspects...but... the fact that you stay after it and DON'T let them "get-out-of-whack"
is a good thing!! You probably (I'm assuming) had "some"
guidance or understand what you have been told or read; as
far as trimming.

Second...In your case leave the sole alone. Let the horse "exfoliate" the hard sole. the more trimming you do WHITHOUT alot of experience can be brutal on the horse.
Less is more !!

I prefer "hoof-conditioners" over dressings. Many of them
just "goo-up" the outside of the hoof capsule and DON'T
penetrate the inner structures. If the dressing is still on the hoof days later..."proofs-in-the-pudding" it isn't helping the hooves. Conditioners 2/3 times a week are more
beneficial...later when things improve...consider weather
and moisture and how much "turn-out" time the horses get.

Without or lack of experience, using JUST a rasp is good.
Nippers can get you in trouble if you don't have help or are comfortable with them. I have seen and have horses
brought to me at clinics that are "butchered" by people
"saving-money" and hurting horses not knowing what they are doing!! Pay me now...or pay me later as the commercial goes.

Trimming horses strictly by angles or gauges is a mistake
in my opinion. I and many experienced farriers trim according to conformation! Old habits "die hard". Thorobreds don't stand or grow like like other breeds as an example. I could get into 3 pages of "do's and dont's" and
why you do this or that lateral/medial...anterior/posterior.
MOST of the time...hind hooves are more upright 52/58 degrees and fronts can be anywhere from 48/55. Especially
with mustangs. They tend to be more "up-right" in the pastern angles and stance. Smoothing or rolling the outside of the hoof wall is good for keeping clean edges and keeping the walls from chipping and cracking.
As I have said many times in my articles; shoeing is for
"protection or correction". If you are not breaking up the hooves badly or the horses are becoming tender or sore
repeatedly...just trim.I have had horses brought to me as 15 yr.olds to be shod and have never seen shoes.
Some of it is good genetics and other is good hoof care!!
If "it ain't broke...don't fix it" !!   :) :)

Hope I have help'd ease your mind.
Thanks again for contacting me...
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.