Mule Hooves

These were some pretty overgrown mule hooves when I started.  They are in good shape now.  Since getting out of school, I've worked a whole lot on donkeys and mules.  I find them as enjoyable to work with as horses and ponies.

Risks of the Trade

I couldn't resist sharing this.  I can't tell you how I've grown very AWARE of when a horse needs to poop when I'm working on the back hooves.  I've nearly had a load dropped on my head a few times and now recognize the signs of needing to quickly drop the foot and stand back!

Another Extreme Case

This is a pair of extremely distorted/overgrown pair of hooves on a miniature pony. She is now back to being sound and functional.

Since this pony, I've encountered another mni that had hooves that were literally a foot long, horizontal...and she's quickly becoming normal and sound.

Hooves I've Encountered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was first out of school, I thought hooves like these were very challenging and scary to work on.  In the past two years, I have found these to be the "norm" and I've encountered hooves that are literally a foot long and horizontal on the ground and twisted like a licorice vine...with the frog pointing 90 degrees in the wrong direction.  I have been able to correct these hooves and make the horses/ponies sound again.  It's amazing what some regular and correct farrier work will do to fix an equine hoof.

Learning Equine Leg/Hoof Anatomy

Round Pen Farrier Work

Some horses can only be trimmed loose, in a round pen. Pictures shown are various stages of working horses in the round pen.

I have since become quite experienced in doing farrier work on wild, abused, dangerous horses, and round pen work always gets the job done.  I have a special patience for horses that need some extra care to calm them down.

Trimming the Minis

We learned how to trim and shoe every sort of equine...from a mini to a draft size. This is me doing an extra small set of feet!

I have since gained TONS of experience trimming mini and pony hooves...even in the event of EXTREME overgrowth.