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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Another Visit by the WGF

2/20/2015

 
That's Jaime Osbrink, World's Greatest Farrier ...

This visit was a bit special because we had all sorts of issues to address. Jaime's been doing my horses for a long time. I don't need to be there as they are always very well behaved. Jaime knows what to do, and he certainly doesn't need me telling him how to shoe my horses. That's his area of expertise, not mine.
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Jaime custom makes all of his shoes.
The last time he was out however, Speedy had an absolute meltdown. We think we know why (not having Sydney there combined with a very noisy gardener), but the end result was that Jaime got hurt and Speedy was a few nails shy of a complete shoe job. I've spent the last six weeks working with Speedy by hammering his feet daily and plying him with treats for being such a good boy; he'll do anything for treats.
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He cuts each shoe to length from bar stock and then shapes it for each particular horse.
Fortunately, Speedy feels that his world has been righted, and to show us his appreciation, he was a very good boy. To make things go easier for a return to good-boy-land, Jaime did Speedy's front feet, put him away, did Izzy's feet, and then finished up with Speedy's hinds. We both took a sigh of relief when Speedy dozed through the application of his hind shoes.
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Waiting expectantly for his treats.
When I told Jaime that Speedy was again lame on the right front, and I felt it was from the twisting and twirling that he does in his paddock, Jaime decided to shelve the shoes he had already prepared and opted to make new ones. Instead of shoes with a groove down the middle, he thought it might help Speedy to have a flat shoe which offers less traction and friction. So as he paces and spins, his feet should slide a little and not "grab" at the dirt which causes torque on the collateral ligament (we hope).
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Speedy's custom flat shoe
It took Jaime about fifteen minutes to make the shoes. Since there is no groove down the center, they should slide a bit more as he spins and paces which might be easier on the collateral ligament. If it doesn't help, it won't hurt, so it's a good experiment.
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Speedy's new front shoes, hinds are standard issue.
Izzy's feet also needed a custom shoe. Since he's lived barefoot on irrigated pasture his whole life, he had some pretty good flares going. As the foot got wider and wider, a crack developed down the center. Izzy had one set of shoes when he was first started as a four year old, and his second set came while he was with "the trainer" up north.
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Wide flares, crack down the center.
I don't know all of the details, but I was told that Izzy proved to be quite a handful for the farrier and ended up needing to be tranquilized. I've spent the last six weeks working on Izzy's shoeing behavior. When he first arrived, he didn't pick up his feet when asked, and when he did, he was quite heavy and prone to jerking them back whenever he felt like it. All of that is pretty standard for colts who haven't had their feet messed with regularly.

Izzy isn't a baby anymore, and I expect my horses to stand quietly for the farrier, so I spent a lot of time teaching him to hold up his own feet. I also placed them on a mounting block to simulate the farrier's stand, and each day I used my hammer to whack Izzy's feet and then held them between my knees like the farrier does.

My vet prescribed a tube of Dormosedan Gel in case we needed it, but Izzy was nearly perfect. By the time Jaime got to the second foot, Izzy was definitely getting bored, but he expressed his boredom by flinging his cross ties and trying to nibble anything within six feet. 
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Jaime said he was really light and easy to handle.
While "the trainer's" farrier did get shoes on him, he did not address the pancakes that were Izzy's feet. I suppose that was better than cramming them into shoes that were too small, but still. Jaime's plan is to "squish" (poor word choice, but I can't think of another) Izzy's feet back together which will take the pressure off the crack down the center. He has plenty of heel, he just has way too much width which is putting pressure on the toe, acting as a wedge.
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Pancakes that have been allowed to get wider and wider.
The new shoes, a respectable size three, will support the outer wall which will prevent the sides from splaying out. This will stop the wedge-like effect that was forcing the crack to widen down the front of the hoof. The pressure will come off, which will allow the crack to stop forming. I could be wrong about this, but I believe the cut-out at the toe allows the sole to sink towards the ground which the has the effect of closing the crack at the top.

Notice how wide the bar stock is for these shoes; it's nearly twice as wide as the store bought shoes from above. I also really appreciate how Jaime sculpted the ends of the shoes to avoid the heel bulbs which gives them room to expand.
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This is a gorgeous shoe!
I've pointed this out many times, but it's nice to give myself a reminder: I have an awesome team supporting my riding goals. My farrier, along with my chiropractor, works hard to keep my horses sound and moving well; my vet provides treatment protocols that are effective and based on current knowledge; my trainers believe in my horses and support my goals; and even my saddle fitter keeps us all comfortable and able to work hard. And I definitely couldn't make this crazy equestrian life work without a supportive husband and a slew of good riding friends (you know who you are!).

Thanks to all of you for keeping Speedy, Izzy, and me on the right track! 
Sandra
2/19/2015 10:19:10 pm

What an amazing job. We can certainly appreciate how well your farrier does his job. Those shoes are beautiful!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:47:29 pm

I'll say thank you on his behalf. :0)

Stampy and the Brain link
2/19/2015 10:53:37 pm

Wow! You are so lucky to have such an amazing farrier. Good shoeing is truly an art.

I'm in the midst of a farrier change and hoping that a return to the farrier who did Phoenix's feet when we were both young will prove to be a good change. When we spoke on the phone and he actually wanted to discuss the effect that Stampede's back issues could be having on his feet I felt like I was started on the right track. Crossing my fingers that Stampede has good x-rays next week then shoes!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:48:22 pm

Hopefully you've found your own WGF! I've had a few that weren't so great myself.

Nicole Sharpe link
2/20/2015 12:08:11 am

I started out skeptical when reading this -- how could YOU have the world's greatest farrier when I have the world's greatest farrier and they're not the same person?!?! But you have thoroughly convinced me. Those shoes are a work of art!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:50:00 pm

Your comment made me laugh out loud, Nicole! I am willing to concede that WGF is actually only a title awarded to those who are simply more awesome than the rest. As such, multiple farriers may earn the title. :0)

Lauren link
2/20/2015 01:13:28 am

Those custom shoes are so interesting!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:51:01 pm

It's a very interesting process to watch!

jenj
2/20/2015 02:59:50 am

Nice custom kicks! Glad both boys were good for all that :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:52:15 pm

Jaime also has the shoes made ahead of time so they don't usually have to stand around and wait. Speedy did have to wait around this time, which is why Jaime gave him the break in between. They are cool shoes, that's for sure. :0)

emma link
2/20/2015 05:57:41 am

very cool!! the whole world of farriery is really interesting to me - even tho i know very little of it. i like that your farrier is so involved with the process - rather than just slapping on whatever and not thinking twice about it. his creativity about Speedy's tendency to injure himself by pivoting/twisting is really cool - hopefully it'll work out?

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/20/2015 11:55:54 pm

Thanks, Emma! Jaime is a certified Journeyman Farrier, the highest certification that the AFA currently offers. He competes and attends lots of clinics. I love that he is still open to learning new techniques and is actively participating in the learning process. He's open to new ways of thinking about shoeing and is supportive of horses going barefoot. His philosophy is that we should do what is best for the horse.

Val
2/20/2015 06:37:47 am

My comment differs from the rest.

This seems like a great opportunity to remove Speedy's shoes. No shoe provides a better balance of traction and slide than a bare hoof. Of course, you can ride him and compete him bare as well, if you are pleased with the results after a period without shoes. Toe cracks and flare can also be resolved without fancy shoes. I am somewhat alarmed by the idea of trying to make a sound foot less wide.

shoer
2/20/2015 12:11:10 pm

Val what is alarming to me is to have such a pigeonholed view and ideology on the issues addressed for this post in such an incredibly informative world. I had the same beliefs towards the "barefoot" trimmers when I got out of shoeing school but then got an incredible career changing education from one of my customers that reads this blog Lori Bertolucci on how to properly trim a bare footed horse. I then trimmed 600 Mustangs at lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue in Lancaster California for over 7 years and got a true evaluation of the Barefoot trim.I often call myself a republicrat and I do what is best for the horse whether it is shod or barefoot. I take tremendous pride in my craft and get such joy in the fact that I have a very good understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the horse. Karens ADD and incredible talent to putting pen paper is what make her so good at writing this blog and keeping it going. As the apple does not fall far from the tree she has a horse like herself and if I removed the shoes from speedy and he paced back and forth all day long with no shoes his wear would greatly exceed his growth and we would have enormous further problems. She seems to pick the left brain extroverted horses and they are never easy keepers. As a horseshoer I put shoes on horses to protect them, support them, or to be able to redistribute weight. If she was going to keep speedy "Natural" she would have to open up his gate and let him roam free. I am definitely NOT the world's greatest shoer but I have been blessed and lucky to be able to surround myself with the world's greatest shoers whom also believe in education education education and that the world is not flat. Life is good!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/21/2015 12:08:59 am

Shoer, thank you so much for chiming in! Val is a long time reader and certainly meant no disrespect. She's a chemistry teacher in real life and rides and writes in her free time. I know that she has chosen the barefoot option for her own horse and finds it to be a good fit. You would appreciate how much time and energy she puts into keeping her own horse's feet in good condition.

But like you and I talked about, barefoot isn't for every horse, and neither are shoes. People who live on the east coast usually can't fathom how hard and dry our conditions are here in the west. Speedy would be walking on his fetlocks without shoes since he would simply walk his feet right off his body!

Thanks for commenting. I am sure most people who read this particular post will enjoy hearing your thoughts on the matter. I don't always get the details right! :0)

Carly
2/20/2015 09:00:21 pm

This was such a cool post to read!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/21/2015 12:01:35 am

Aw ... thanks, Carly. I only get to watch Jaime work once or twice a year, and that's if my appointment lands during my winter or summer break. I've never been able to watch him make a shoe before. Usually, the shoes are made up ahead of time. I do watch him put the finishing touches on each shoe, but this was totally different. Izzy's shoes were already made, so I didn't get to see those, but I did watch him make Speedy's.

I was fascinated by how much of it was done by "eyeballing it." He just knows where to make the nail holes and and how long to cut the bar stock. He also knows how to bend the shoe so it fits. He laughed when he took the nearly finished shoe to try on Speedy. It was nearly a perfect fit from forge and anvil to horse. He only had to make a slight adjustment. It was pretty impressive to watch. :0)

Val link
2/20/2015 10:28:42 pm

I been reading and commenting on this blog for years. I did not leave my comment above anonymously. I expressed a difference of opinion based on knowledge and experience, not ideology. And no I haven't trimmed 600 mustangs. In real life, your shoer and I would probably get along very well. Unfortunately, blog comments have their limitations. Next time, I will avoid the word "alarming", but I hope that a difference of opinion is still valued here.

We live in a very informative world, which is why it is possible and necessary for horse owners to be informed alongside their professionals and support staff.

Peace.

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/21/2015 12:21:32 am

Discussion is ALWAYS a good thing, Val, and I hope you will continue to share your opinions here. My farrier is very well educated, and not just in the craft of horse shoeing. He values discussion and education as much as you and I do.

He and I were just discussing the barefoot vs. shoes issue. We both feel that owners should do what is right for that particular horse. Barefoot is not appropriate for my horses with their lifestyle, work load, and living conditions. I've asked Jaime about it a number of times, and he has been able to clearly articulate why it's not a good fit for Speedy, and now for Izzy too.

While Speedy is shod all the way around, my farrier did leave Izzy barefoot in the back because he has great hind feet that don't need the support of a shoe (right now). That may change of course once he is under saddle and working full time, but it would be super convenient for me if he can stay barefoot in the back.

Both times Izzy was started, first as a youngster and most recently in December, he came up foot sore after being ridden several days in a row. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine having huge, flat pancakes attached to his leg didn't help the soundness issue.

I should have clarified my word choice with Jaime before I said he was squishing the hoof together. I should have said he was supporting the hoof wall so that the foot didn't continue to spread in an unhealthy way. I am going to be sharing another post in a day so showing the difference that the recent shoe job has already made in repairing that crack down the front of his hoof.

I didn't notice how good it looked until I was messing with Izzy's feet again a few days later. Jaime had me shoot photos to document how quickly we can get that crack under control. I hope you'll comment or share any of your own experiences with dealing with cracks or hoof damage.

Cheers!

Shoer
2/22/2015 12:50:25 am

Val there is not a doubt in my mind that if we met today we would really get along. My take on the post is this, you do not need to be a hundred percent one way or a hundred percent another way for your horse's hoof care needs it is not a Chevy vs Ford thing it is what is best for your horse. My guess is somewhere down the line in your area you went through every knucklehead horseshoer and time and time again got tired of watching your horses not travelling well and not thriving with shoes on their feet. Thus you probably took yor hoof care needs into your own hands and found that bare foot works for you and your horses.
There is such a substandard for hoof care in this country that essentially there are no standards. In the UK you have to go to college for 4 years take a high standard test then apprentice for 2 years and take another high level test to receive your WCF. I will say the reason I did comment back on your comment was because of that a word" alarming"hit me like a two x four. When I saw Izzy in the cross ties for the first time and saw his hoof care I was in shock. Karen and I had a lengthy conversation about Izzy's injury and the duties he will be performing in the near future. I then was able to use my education and knowledge to come up with a success plan for Izzy. I felt that he would be best suited barefoot behind as he has great hoof quality and confirmation to support. His front end however needed support and the redistributation of weight with the shoes that I hand made for him. It would be great to meet you day and just know I always have my passenger seat to ride along!

Austen link
2/22/2015 11:41:56 pm

I really enjoyed this correspondence. You guys were all very respectful and I love the amount of knowledge and thought you guys clearly put in to each decision! Shoer, it's really clear you care about the horses you work on, and put a lot of thought into the best choices for them.

I keep my horse barefoot, but if I had a choice he'd be shod in front. Arthritis has determined that shoes are going to be a bigger burden to the joint than a help to the foot, unfortunately. There are shoeing options that would work, but they are not an option financially or due to our location (no one out here actually does them). I actually trim his feet myself. I'll be the first to say they are absurdly ugly up front. His reduced range of motion and naturally low heel have contributed to fairly flat and long toed feet. It's sort of a pain to deal with, but through trial and error with several farriers, I've discovered that light trims with a rasp and a whole lot of movement will keep him sounder and happier than anything else, and keep the toe length manageable.

It truly takes an individual approach and a ton of thought!

Bakersfield Dressage link
2/24/2015 10:54:15 am

My farrier is just as happy to work on barefoot horses as he is to work with those that need special shoes, like my boys do right now. I am glad you chimed in, Austen. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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