Books : Well-Shod: A Horseshoeing Guide for Owners & Farriers (Western Horseman Books)

Readers can use this book as a guide to learn whether their horses are being shod properly or use it to learn to shoe their own horses. The book stresses good horse handling techniques and proper trimming. Correct trimming of the feet is the basis of good shoeing, and neither can be accomplished if the horseshoer cannot get the horse to stand still long enough to work on him-thus the importance of handling. To get really proficient at horseshoeing, it takes a lot of practice trimming and shoeing a lot of different horses. This book covers all the basics in plain, simple language, lavishly illustrated, and diagrammed.

Readers can use this book as a guide to learn whether their horses are being shod properly or use it to learn to shoe their own horses. The book stresses good horse handling techniques and proper trimming. Correct trimming of the feet is the basis of good shoeing, and neither can be accomplished if the horseshoer cannot get the horse to stand still long enough to work on him-thus the importance of handling. To get really proficient at horseshoeing, it takes a lot of practice trimming and shoeing a lot of different horses. This book covers all the basics in plain, simple language, lavishly illustrated, and diagrammed.

'Don Baskins has been able to combine a bright mind that understands horses with the eye of an artist, an unbelievable work ethic, unlimited stamina and a desire to become the best horseshoer in the business. When I taught equine science at both Colorado State University and Texas Tech University, I often had Don speak to my classes. He was always a favorite of the students. Students always left with not just an enhanced knowledge of horses and horseshoeing, but with a little bit of life, as well. I think you will have the same experience when you read this book.' Jim Heird, Fort Collins, Colo., horse show competitor and judge, associate dean and director of academic programs, College of Agricultural Science, Colorado State University.

Don Baskins studied other horseshoers at work and he studied the old Cavalry and other horseshoeing manuals. He spent his time in the United States Marine Corps as the military's horseshoer. After his discharge from the Marines, he worked in California shoeing a variety of gaited horses, harness and show ponies, perfecting his forge work along the way. He settled in Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he and his wife Oda raised their family and operated his business. He is in demand as a traveling shoer, working a five-state region and is often flying in to shoe horses for loyal clients.

From Chapter titled 'Basic Shoeing'

Basic shoeing, for our purposes here, will deal with shoeing a saddle horse by means of the cold shoeing method as opposed to the hot shoeing method, in which a forge is used to heat the shoes and shape them more easily with hammer and anvil for a good fit. There is still a need for farriers to be able to work at a forge to build shoes or customize shoes for corrective purposes, and we will get into hot shoeing later. But with all the shoes that are on the market now, the cold shoe is just as good as the hot shoe for most purposes. These shoes have been designed with adequate length, and preshaped to the point where they need only a little adjustment with hammer and anvil in order to fit most every kind of horse a shoer will encounter.

With the cold shoe, one has to be a little more precise at rasping the foot and getting the foot flat, assuring a good, tight fit. And with the hot shoe you can trim the heels of the shoe precisely to the length desired, where with the cold shoe, you might be 1/8-inch long on the heels. But as a rule, cold shoeing is faster and easier than hot shoeing, and works just as well as hot shoeing. One of the main reasons for using a hot shoe: it is easier to move iron-to roll the toe of a shoe, or pull side clips or turn hell calks. Still, a farrier can do a lot of these things cold if he has a good anvil and a hammer big enough to move iron.

 

See all books by author Don Baskins