Upcountry Horseshoeing Hoof Page Gretchen Cardoso, Farrier This is where I showcase some of my work.  Updated January 2008.

Underrun heels can have many causes.  In this case, the hoof was shod with too small of a shoe for a long period of time.  This horse does not have a history of stepping off her shoes, so there's really no excuse.  I put on a shoe two sizes longer than what she had been wearing.  From an 0 to a 2. The second photo is from August 03, only the third time being shod with the longer shoe.  Notice the difference in support.  Draw an imaginary line from the bulb of the heel to the ground.  The new shoe nearly meets that line. As of October 03, the horse is ready to wear a size 1, her true size.  The oversized shoe helped greatly to provide extra support.  It will still be until next spring or so that the foot will be normal  Another photo to come soon.

2003

This horse has quite a story to tell. First of all she would not be alive if it were not for her current owner who rescued her as a yearling. In a halter breaking accident as a weanling, this horse somehow damaged her left leg and could not use it for a while. She hopped around on her right leg, bearing all her weight. As she grazed it crossed her left leg while her head was down. You can imagine that this adverse weight affected the leg as it grew. She later regained use of her left leg which is now the good one. For years this horse has worn a special supportive shoe.  I had the honor to step in and make one to replace her last one she had lost in the pasture. She has always had good hoofcare and feed. This is a handmade egg bar shoe with an extra piece welded in to support under the diagonal hoof wall. You can see how the shape of the shoe is like a shadow of support under her angled limb. This horse is not ridden, but does run and hop around the pasture when frisky. She seems very happy.

2003

2003

I took home a few pairs of gel pads from farrier school. I had to wait a while until I had a good opportunity to use them.  A Thoroghbred with big sole bruises was the perfect candidate. She was barefoot and limping painfully.  I put her first shoe with pad on the most tender foot.  She picked up the other front foot and stood all her weight on this comfy new gel pad.  After shoeing all four feet with pads on the front feet, I trotted her up and down the driveway. She moved evenly and freely. It was fantastic! The pads are re-settable and reasonably priced. Click on the link below for the MFG site.

Horse Trax Gel Pads Website

2003

I love shoeing horses.  It's great to be able to help them.  It's a serious responsibility and can be very humbling if I make a horse sore.  All farriers do from time to time and it's not fun.  Most of the time though, I am either maintaining or improving a horse's well being.  What a great job to have! I'm always learning and open to new ideas.  I got a great foundation of training at LBCC.  Balance, Motion, Forging skills, etc. I have a special interest in foundered horses. More info to come on them in the future. Thanks for checking out my site!

Back to my main page with Hotske

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Therapeutic shoeing is all about placing support where the hoof should be.  In this case, it's on the medial wall of the left hind foot.  I punched holes into the shoe and safed the edge.

2004

Extended heel shoes can be worn on front feet...

2005

This horse suffered fom years of neglect.  Her feet were not trimmed.  A family member of the owner rescued the mare and we helped her be more comfortable.  Her heels were chronically underrun.  This size two shoe gave her the support she needed to be more comfortable around the pasture.  Later on she was bred and had a beautiful Palomino filly.

The Farrier's Horse... The best horse for a farrier to own is one who has ideal hooves that require little maintenance.  After all, when does the mechanic get around to working on his own car?  Hotske will turn 6 this spring and has never worn shoes.

With a "barefoot" trim, the frog should be large & healthy.  Taking up 2/3 of the length of the hoof.  And it should contact the ground at the level of the heels.  Hotske's feet illustrate this point well.

2007

Finished hooves. (Front feet are on unlevel ground.)

What a great horse!  The world could use a few more like her.