I did it. Trimed some feet. saved some money.

[Aggravation Acres]

Yesterday, My hubby held them and I trimed 5 of our 15 mini's feet. The Farrier was scheduled to come out today. That way he could check them to make sure they were not too far off.

He said 3 of them were fine.

2 of them had to have more of the toe taken off. So he showed me how much. But he said for me to keep at it. With the ones I had worked on. Some of the others have a lot wider hoof wall and it is hard for me to work on. I only had the little cutters that say for the novice. He told me to go ahead and get the Hoof Nippers and to just take a little off at a time and I will do fine. He is scheduled to come back out and will check them again for me. He will also be doing my show horses. (I am not that brave yet).

I just decided that I needed to start saving money somewhere and this is not as hard as I thought it would be.

Deb

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Good for you! That has been one of my resolutions every year for three years, and I've still only done one hoof.

I can relate to saving some $$ too. We're paying $25 a head and have 65 minis! I would faint if he did them all at one time, instead of in batches of 15 each!

 

[pepperhill]

It is really scary at first, isn't it? I have a really great farrier that went to great lengths to teach me how. He still comes out to do the big horses so I can have him check my work. It just gets easier the more you do. You will get more confident. How were your hands and back?

Maybe I'm just getting old but I can only do about7 or 8 before my back gets too tired. AND, no matter how carefull I am, I usually end up bleeding somewhere on my hand. It is usually something small and stupid, but my daughters laugh at me just the same, and check me over whenever I come back in. My farrier only charges $15 per mini but it still adds up! Congrats on your efforts! Linda

 

[Jill]

You'll get more and more comfortable with doing it the more you do! Not only does it save a lot of money, but I find it to be much more convenient, too. Harvey does ours and we've gotten tips from our farriers along the way as well as watching that mini hoof trimming video a few times. I think Harvey does a good job on our minis.

 

[Loess Hills]

Deb -

You are much braver and probably more agile than I am! It's wonderful that your farrier is so cooperative and can advise you on the trimming.

Good job!

 

[Aggravation Acres]

I know you are going to think this is stupid. But it saves a lot on my back and legs. I sit on a little step stool while trimming them. My farrier usually is on his knees when he does them

But he is taller than me.

It is funny how nice and calm the horses stood for me. Because it took me quite awhile.

Thanks for the nice replies.

Deb