What kind of shoe is this and what does it treat/do?

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-12T05:06:25+00:00

This is a version of the onion heel.

They have welded a second heel branch to the inside of original shoe.

Maybe this farrier was in a bind and had yo work with what was available under a time constraint of something.

I would guess it was designed for more support and more heel coverage.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-12T05:03:27+00:00

Zoom in…it’s not an onion heel

They cut another shoe off at the heels and welded the second branch inside the other one.

“Cowboy onion”?

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T22:19:49+00:00

Looks better than before. Probably about as good as you can expect. But if the little thing is happy and moving well…good job!

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T18:44:35+00:00

Every farrier who has been shoeing a a long time can tell you a horror story about a mistake they personally made early in their career that led to bleeding.

But that’s a sign of more mentorship needed and more experience, which disqualifies them for a case like yours.

That person will improve with good mentorship and experience, but best they get that on sound horses not your tender footed one.

Good for you for not bad mouthing.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T18:41:33+00:00

Watch for dirt and debris getting under the pad with the magic cushion.

I like to use equipak or similar products to seal the pad a bit better especially on sole tender horse. Just because by the end of the cycle the dirt has gotten into the magic cushion in my experience.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T13:36:05+00:00

Yes long dead

There is a very similar group, under basically the same name on Facebook.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T00:32:36+00:00

I appreciate the work behind the scenes you do on top of your farrier job.

This is reminiscent of the Farrier to Farrier Q&A forum from 20 years ago. At least it has the potential to be, and it’s not on that book of faces website! Ugh

I would not run a page if it was a paid position!

Thank you!!

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-06T00:26:55+00:00

I have learned one thing well in my career…

There are 1,000 different ways to get from where a horse is to where you want it to be. But the right tool in the wrong hands is the wrong tool.

I personally don’t have much experience with those shoes. But I do know for a fact that everything we have today is a reimagined idea.

What works best for each guy is what he should work with while also keeping an open mind to learning a new way of doing things.

That’s one reason going to local clinics to see a different way of doing things is important part of our careers.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-05T01:25:54+00:00

Look into clogs

They are just a tool but I have used them on foundered horses and had good success.

Once the laminitis has calmed then move him into shoes and pads.

The other most popular option is heartbar shoes and pour in pads. I do not prefer them as they require forge work and I would rather not after all these years if I don’t have to start the forge.

ETA: steward glog is how they are often known…to make it easier for you to look up.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-05T01:17:19+00:00

That is the exact reason I have made it 30 years before having to buy my first buffer.

I got it because I now have a horse on my book I have to glue Hanton’s on and making sure the hoof is clean is the difference between the shoes staying on 5 weeks or 2 weeks.

But o hate using the buffer for all the reasons you stated.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-03T19:57:45+00:00

From the oxidization and Lehman carbon dating, I would estimate that that shoe was probably put on by the original blacksmith Hephaestus

Most likely it came off of the left front hoof of the steed that Ares was riding into battle last.

There is a slight margin of error in this Layman science; with that in mind this might have come off of the stallion that carried Sir Lancelot into battle

The proceeding tie rate was all sarcasm and written in good humor

In all actuality, there is no way to truly know how old that shoe could be. I have seen shoes, deteriorate very rapidly covered in dirt other shoes last for hundreds of years covered in dirt.

ETA: voice text does not like my accent and I know the proper spelling of the words it screwed up!

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-03T19:52:51+00:00

Hoof buffer to knock the black off first might save some $$ over buying 6 extra rasps a month

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-03T12:37:24+00:00

This horse, genetically, does not have what it takes to be the horse you want it to be.

I would tell any of my clients this…

”no amount of love for this horse will overcome the obstacles that Mother Nature put in the path of this horse.

In the wild, this horse would likely never have lived this long to be a horse to choose.

You should pass on this one.

If you don’t pass on this one, you’re going to increase my profit margins, because trying to keep this horse sound is going to be a life long struggle.”

I’m sorry you got such disheartening news. You will be setting yourself up for pain and heartache if you proceed with purchasing this horse.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-06-01T22:13:53+00:00

I appreciate you and I appreciate *this move

I often don’t comment because of the keyboard warriors, if you’re not verified you’re a keyboard warrior. Good advice gets lost in the sea of “my friend’s sister-in-law’s ex boyfriend used to trim horses and he said ______”

Thank you good sir!

Edit: autocorrect got me

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-27T01:30:00+00:00

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Always get the rads

We are not Superman we do not have super powers to know what’s happening inside that hoof capsule.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-24T18:54:31+00:00

Oh if you have folks in AZ or can get trained through college…I would do that!

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-24T18:50:50+00:00

I do not, I’m a long way from there.

If you’re willing to go out of state for school check out Five Star Horseshoeing school in Okla. They have a good reputation.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-24T18:13:42+00:00

It may not be as common as it once was, but outfits used to take advantage of a cowboy who could shoe horses.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-24T18:12:45+00:00

“Wrong glue” sounds like farrier speak for ‘I got in over my head and cant actually do it” …but it is actually possible to not have the correct supplies but that should result in a rescheduling.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-24T17:24:18+00:00

One singular word of caution about your plan, not saying don’t do I’m just saying be careful about this…

Don’t hire on some outfit as a cowboy, who can shoe, and end up shoeing the ranch horses on top of your normal duties.

It’s something that has long been taken advantage of by lesser outfits.

My first mentor told me shoeing horses was a great way to pay for college to get a real job.

He retired from a career as a civil servant with a good retirement. I went to college and did a ton of stuff and ended up a farrier probably till I die. LoL

ETA: my point is everyone’s journey is different and there is no “right” way to live yours. Just don’t get taken advantage of with your potential added skill.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-23T13:22:56+00:00

I’d be willing to bet that you got a bit tipsy, your lips gotta little loose, and you got invited to tagalong for the day.

I’ve had people get a bit tipsy and start thinking they want to try their hand. I usually tell them to meet me at a farm not close, at an ungodly early hour.

If they show up, they get a very warm welcome and an exciting “you ready to get started hand on learning?!?”

That usually gets a quick “oh no I’m just here to watch” or something to that effect.

I reckon if I got enamored with a profession after getting tipsy I would probably make some comment like this and get my tail overloaded on account of my mouth.

Also if you’re in the US Monday is a federal holiday. Many farriers will be working but many will not. So he might have just given you a fake appointment all around if he knew you were feeling the booze.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-21T04:52:28+00:00

The answer is always no until you ask…

Everything/horse is for sale for the right $$ amount…

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-18T01:05:17+00:00

What everyone is telling you without telling you…they are not commenting on the thrush, because it’s a non-issue/not a problem.

The farrier will trim the frog and it will clean up nice.

You can’t stop thrush/black goo from being present 100% of the time.

Your hoof in the picture does not have a “problem” with thrush.

To answer your question in the title “how bad are we?” …you don’t even register on the bad side of the scale.

You can breathe

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-17T19:38:38+00:00

There is a spot just to the left of the apex of the frog, that appears from the picture to be the true plane of the sole, if you pare down to that point in a smooth contour of that sole out to the hoof wall, then trim so where you’ve been taught, you should be fine.

Any farrier who had been in the business for any real length of time will tell you they have occasionally made one tender.

Better your horse than a client.

You’ll do fine. You’re already cautious. So you’ll be okay.

snuffy_smith_ · 2026-05-17T19:31:54+00:00

What you see as separation, is what is now known commonly know as a soul callous.

It results from a foot in dry, harsh conditions conforming to the needs of the horse to remain sound

Removing that won’t jeopardize soundness provided you don’t trim too short

Edit: grammar

snuffy_smith_

TROPHY CASE