Here's the view from my balcony, taken a couple of days ago. After working hours, a neighbour's horse was sneaked it for shoeing. He steadied his young and rather fidgetty horse, whilst Oprea held up the feet for Nelu.
It cannot be a whole lot of fun holding up the foot of a less than quiet horses whilst trimming and nailing on. I can see why Horseshoeing Housewife would like to see her clients hold their horses' feet up. (In Britain, Health & Safety rules would get in the way, and farriers probably would be afraid of litigation if an owner got hurt.)
There is a part of me that really appreciates living in a country that isn't overwhelmed by "health & safety". Too many rules in a nanny state breed a lack of responsibility. Is it a coincidence that Britain is a huge nanny state and the British are (by my reckoning as a riding centre proprietor) amongst the most accident-prone riders?
At the same time, I would like to live in a country with a good national health service, and where basic infrastructure isn't falling to pieces. Probably I cannot have it both ways. The State will be bigger than I might like if I want decent hospitals without paying through the nose for private insurance (which I wouldn't be able to afford anyway doing this badly paid job) and roads that aren't full of holes. People in Britain might complain about the National Health Service, but at least it isn't necessary to bribe doctors and nurses in order to receive treatment. When the health budget per person is under $200, one can predict just how little a Romanian medical professional is paid (and why so many have fled to the West).
As you can see, the shoe that Nelu is fitting has been made for long life. I really don't like these sorts of shoes. They are left on for too long, and the tall toe pieces and calkins wear very unevenly if the horse isn't well balanced in the first place. However, no-one listens. If the horse isn't shod here, it will be shod up the road somewhere. This is an area where borium is very useful, because a very thin layer gives a great deal of wear. However, borium is hard to come by, little known and expensive in Romania. Even borium electrodes for arc welding are difficult to find.
Here's a view of the completed front feet. They are raised very high, exaggeratedly so, however that is the custom in these parts. No-one seems to notice (or want to notice) that my draught horses go better with flat shoes (using borium) or very little raised using 1/2" rebar welded flat onto the bottom of the shoe.
Scary kindly gave me the following award, for which I am grateful. I would like to pass it on to Horseshoeing Housewife, who merits it for a variety of good reasons.
For being a good farrier - and not fitting shoes like the ones in the photos above:) For describing, with honesty and enthusiasm, an interesting life of work, family time, animals and leisure. For being no more diplomatic than strictly necessary. Rarely do I delve into my past personal life, however I have been married to a female farrier. (Unhappily, thanks to her attitude and behaviour.) So I have some insight into the tension between doing a tough physical job with powerful and sometimes fractious animals, and being a compassionate female partner. And just how difficult it is to attain a good balance. Knowing this, Mikey, I am impressed by how successfully you manage these diverse and potentially conflicting aspects of your exciting life, and by how well you write about your adventures en-route.
Awww, that's so sweet of you! Thank you so much!
Those shoes, they still use those here in Pennsylvania, you see them a lot in horses coming out of the auction. Hooves super long, it can't be good... I know it's necessary in working horses, but boy... they make me cringe..
Still get a huge kick out the owner's holding the feet. I have yet to persuade any owners here to do that. Darn it.
Posted by: Mikey | March 19, 2008 at 04:01 AM
wow, good photos and explainations. What a beauty the bay is......but I am partial to bays!
Since Ive switched Scooter to the 'natural trim/shoe' method, her is doing wonderful with out shoes. But then, he isnt a work horse nor is he being ridden hard over rough ground. If I were to rope off him again or work cattle on him, Id put shoes back on.
The new trim method does seem to help his arthritis very much.
You wouldnt see the horse owners in the USA holding up their horses feet! I feel bad for my farrier, hes a young man though with a strong back. Scooter is a leaner and will put his weight on the poor guy if not corrected by the farrier or me.
Posted by: BarnGoddess | March 19, 2008 at 12:18 PM
that was he's doing wonderful.....
Posted by: BarnGoddess | March 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Wow, those are some serious shoes! I'm so glad I'm able to keep mine barefoot, but like BG says not working drafts.
Posted by: Callie | March 19, 2008 at 11:35 PM