How to Trim Horseshoes

A horseshoe is a U-shaped piece of metal that is nailed to a horse's hoof to protect it. Horses are shod to protect their hooves on stony ground, and also to help cope with the extra strain placed on the hooves by the weight of a rider. Modern farriers no longer have time to make and trim all horseshoes by hand. Instead, they use ready-made templates. However, farriers sometimes still make specific shoes for horses with unusually shaped feet, or remedial shoes for horses with foot problems. It is difficult for amateurs to make and trim their own shoes, as it requires special equipment including a forge capable of heating to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have access to this equipment, ask an experienced farrier to teach you how to use it safely.

Things You'll Need

  • Old horseshoe
  • Measuring tape
  • Forge
  • Mild steel horseshoe bar
  • Forceps
  • Shearing blades
  • Bucket of water
  • Anvil
  • Hammer
  • Pritchel
  • Gloves
  • Apron
  • Face mask
  • Rasp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Size the horseshoe. Horses' hooves are measured across the widest part of the hoof, then from the front to heel. Equate this measurement to a standard template size. Measure one of the old shoes if you are making a shoe from scratch for a specific horse.

    • 2

      Measure the steel bar and decide how much you need to trim. Hold the horseshoe bar with forceps and heat one end in the forge until the steel glows yellow. Twist off the end of the bar so that it is the right length, using the shearing blades. Work quickly as once the steel is removed from the heat, it will start to cool rapidly. Plunge the bar into a bucket of water to cool it, keeping your face away from the steam.

    • 3

      Wait for the bar to cool. Mark the center with a scratch and return it to the forge. Heat it until it is yellow-hot. Hold the steel over the horn of the anvil. Hammer it into a "U" shape around the horn, working as quickly as possible.

    • 4

      Pierce two nail holes 2 inches on each side of the center mark. Hold the horseshoe with forceps and place it over the small, round pritchel hole in the top of the anvil. Use the pritchel, or punch, and hammer to punch the nail holes through the shoe.

    • 5

      Reheat the shoe and hold it over the main, flat surface of the anvil. Use the hammer to close the ends of the bar together to make an angled heel. Put in four more nail holes --- two on either side --- at about 1/2-inch intervals. Cool the shoe in water.

    • 6

      Try the shoe against the horse's hoof. As it will still be quite hot, it will leave a mark against the horn of the hoof so you will able to check the fit. Adjust the fit by reheating the shoe and hammering it into the desired shape. Neaten the edges and make any final fitting adjustments with a rasp.