The Friesians are Fitted for Winter Shoes
Did you know that a horse requires reshoeing every four to eight weeks? A hoof grows in length just like a fingernail or toenail does. And when the hoof grows, the shoe no longer fits correctly. With five Friesians, Linda Friedman, a farrier, is a regular visitor at the farm. The word, farrier, comes from the Latin, ferrum, meaning iron horseshoe. Linda, who spent five years as an apprentice before starting out on her own, has been a farrier for more than twenty-five years and she is a master at trimming and shoeing horses’ hooves. Linda has been at my stable recently fitting each horse with his winter shoes. Shoeing is quite a complicated process, as each shoe is custom fitted onto each hoof. And, considering that horses are so large and strong, there’s also a good deal of physical risk involved. As with humans, bad fitting shoes can cause all kinds of physical problems. Fitting horseshoes properly requires extensive knowledge of horse anatomy and Linda continues to educate herself by regularly attending clinics and symposiums. Linda is proud of her work and really loves her job because she just loves being around horses.
1 Linda works out of the back of her truck, which contains her tools, anvil, forge, or high-heat oven, and welding supplies.
2 The first step is to remove the old shoe. Here, Linda is holding a hoof between her legs, which requires great finesse, caution, and strength. Linda uses a pair of pullers to loosen the nails.
3 She then grabs her hoof knife and cleans the hoof bottom.
4 Nippers are used to remove the surplus growth of the hoof wall.
5 Linda then levels the hoof with a rasp.
6 The hoof trimmings
7 Linda travels with shoes of many sizes
8 Throughout the fitting process, the shoes are heated red-hot in a forge, which makes the steel pliable for shaping. The forge temperatures reach between 1400º and 1800º Fahrenheit.
9 Linda pounds the glowing shoes on an anvil to draw two clips, which help keep the shoes in place. This kind of hammer is called a cross pein.
10 More shaping
11 Linda makes sure the clipped shoe is exactly level.
12 Next, the new shoe is hot fitted to check for levelness and to help shape the hoof for the shoe clips.
13 Some minor adjustments
14 When she's certain that the shoe fits perfectly, Linda begins turning it into a winter shoe by welding borium onto the bottom.
15 These raised areas of boreum act like a studded tire in the snow, helping to prevent the horse from slipping.
16 Next, an angle grinder smooths out rough areas.
17 All set for the next step of....
18 Fitting for a snoball pad, which are designed to prevent snow from balling up in the hoof.
19 There's a very specific tool for this purpose called a pad cutter.
20 The trimmed pad is attached to the shoe with nails.
21 The nails are knocked back.
22 The pad edges are smoothed with the grinder.
23 Shoeless Meindert has been patiently waiting in his stall.
24 Linda protects the bottom of the hoof by packing it with a hoof packing material.
25 She then hammers on the new snow shoe.
26 The tips of the nails emerge through the hoof.
27 The nails are clinched, or folded down to secure the shoe.
28 For the next step, Linda lifts the hoof and rests it on a hoof jack.
29 The contact points are smoothed out with the rasp.
30 Two down - two to go!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, that was absolutely fascinating. I NEVER knew about horse-shoeing. The photos are terrific and so interesting. REALLY. Thank you.
Mrs Polly Rogers
Posted by: Mrs Polly Rogers | December 3rd, 2012 at 12:17 am
Good morning Martha, hope you are feeling better today. Wow what a complicated and long process, but very interesting to know. Have a great week.
Best wishes
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 3rd, 2012 at 1:15 am
Martha, no I did not know that a horse requires reshoeing so often. WOW, it takes a lot to own a horse. Thanks for this informative blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 am
Very interesting and informative post today Martha, thank you!
Posted by: Cindy F | December 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
Once again, wonderful information accompanied by pictures that teach us LIVING. Our Dad's family knew blacksmith techniques but on our ranch, native horses run prarie and might require less hoof attention than when confined to stalls to be harnessed every day. Thanks for showing us Beautiful Linda's profession.
Posted by: ann | December 3rd, 2012 at 7:59 am
Who knew! The details are interesting. Thanks for sharing. I love the Fresians!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | December 3rd, 2012 at 8:50 am
I love those furry legs -- cute!
Posted by: Katie | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:10 am
You've only said good things about Linda Friedman since your first blog about shoeing horses in '07 and I think that says a lot. I can't help but be impressed by anyone who can do that job but I think I'm more impressed that a woman does it. The horses pretty well know her by now but that doesn't mean they're going to stand still and have their hooves pounded on. That convinces me she's very good with horses. That forge at up to 1800 degrees would scare me off. She's a brave lass! Thanks for this informative blog and as I said in a tweet, I'm glad you're feeling better. I hear the flu is the worse thing to have. I had a flu shot but I guess I could still get it. I hope not! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:19 am
Hi Martha, I was so relieved to receive your tweets on Saturday when you were visiting Westport and you said you were getting a lot better from the flu! Sure hope you are continuing to feel better today! Being a tremendous animal lover, I absolutely enjoy seeing your blogs about your animals and the tremendous people who are helping take care of them! I have learn so much about how these superior veterinary people who take such great care of all of your animals whenever needed! Linda Friedman, the farrier, did an absolutely beautiful job adding new winter shoes to Meindert! Every photo is fabulous to view and Meindert new winter shoes look fantastic! Where do you find all of these tremendous people who do such great jobs at your farm?! They are the best I have ever seen! Many years ago, I had a desire to be a veterinarian because I loved all animals! I couldn't afford to go to a veterinary school so I went to the college in our town and became a teacher instead! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful blog today! Sure hope you have a great day and feel so much better! Off to see The Daily Wag, another favorite of mine! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:30 am
Beautiful, fluffy Friesian feet. Thank you for the pictures
Posted by: jan geary | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
Love this! Martha, if you ever need someone to help exercise your horses, I'm just a train ride away
Posted by: Rebecca | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:55 am
I was just thinking about this on Saturday when I stepped out of the grocery store and I heard the clippity clop of a horse and buggy carrying the big guy in the red suit
I love that sound...and it is fasicinating process you shared. Thanks 
Hope you can stop by and visit me .
Posted by: Tracie @cleverlyinspired.com | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:57 am
I love seeing a lady doing this work! My granddad tamed horses when I was a kid, and this process always made me squeamish. She makes it look so easy.
Posted by: Jacqueline | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:00 am
Hello Martha!!! Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!!! I have been a fan of yours for years!! You are an inspiration!!! God bless you!! <3
Posted by: Kandy Blanc | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:03 am
Fascinating post, thanks for sharing! This was surely something you don't learn about everyday- perfect for a Monday morning read.
Posted by: Courtney Hardie | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:07 am
Martha you are so blessed to have a Farrier who does quality work with care. Horses are such special creatures and deserve the best we can give them.
Posted by: Adrianne Masterd | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:10 am
I live in Wellington Florida which is the polo capital of the Country and I never knew that! I love the idea of getting new shoes that often. I wonder if the fillies do too! Have a FUNderful day!
Posted by: Nancy Reid | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:13 am
Everyone should get new shoes every 4-6 weeks! And a purse too!
Posted by: Lara | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:18 am
This was really fascinating. I had no idea the tremendous amount of work it takes to shoe horses.
Posted by: Sondra | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 am
Ah! The dogs on my grandparents' farm loved new horse shoe day--the hoof clippings were in high demand as dog chews/treats!! Almost forgot about that, thanks for bringing back the memories.
Posted by: Paige | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:39 am
To Tracie @cleverlyinspired.com
You have a nice blog and I have pinned your sausage and meatball recipe that is easy and looks good! I'll check out your other entries later, i.e. the square wreath. Nice to see you on Martha's blog! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
Martha, do your dogs like to chew on the hoof trimings. we had several and they just loved to come in the barn and steal some of the pieces off the floor.
Posted by: Bob King | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:49 am
Hi martha,
Always enjoy your blog. There must have been a time when horses were not fit with shoes, that they had to walk on what God had given them. How did they function at that time without shoes of any sort?
Thanks
Susie
Posted by: susie | December 3rd, 2012 at 11:15 am
Martha, this was so fascinating! I had no idea it was so much work. Your animals are all so lucky to have a wonderful owner who cares deeply about each of them and makes sure they have the best care they can possibly have.
Posted by: Jane (from twitter!!) | December 3rd, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Hi Martha!
How fun to read about your Friesians! As you point out, there is an art to shoeing horses and our farrier is one of the most important people at our farm. A horse is only as good as their feet!! This morning our Percheron, Tinsel, helped pull down logs out of our back woods, and she needed all of the footing she could get to do the job well!
I thought you might enjoy connecting with my blog at Rebecca Ray Designs which has been chronicling my grey mare, Tinsel and her adventures with us. To indulge your love of all things equestrian and canine, you really should look at our website http://www.RebeccaRayDesigns.com. I know you have one of our orange Maryann handbags and that you would enjoy everything that we are bench-making right here in America, capturing the heart of Sporting Lifestyle. Hopefully you'll visit High Design at Atlanta Gift or the New York Gift Show to see our new fabulous bright colors and mod croc for Spring. I see you every year at Westminster Kennel Club, as I raise top show dogs and I think you will really relate to our authentic lifestyle line of all things equestrian and canine. Enjoy!
Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca Smith | December 3rd, 2012 at 1:02 pm
You reminded me how excited I used to be to help our farrier thread bolt holes at one of my first jobs as a stablehand. He was short but he had absolute command over over those draft horses. He too had been doing it for a few decades and when he bent under their bellies his back was as straight as a table.
Posted by: Stephanie Hawkins | December 3rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I found your blog about the farrier so interesting. My ex was a farrier and went so far as to make his shoes from a cold bar of steel. He would heat the steel in his forge and shape the shoe to custom fit the hoove. He shod race,parade,show and pleasure horses just to name a few. The most difficult were the competion gaited horses with the extreme lenght hoof in order to have the horse reach high and drive out. At that ime we were competing in horse shows now I compete in AKC dogshows-Chihuahuas no less!LOL!
Posted by: Kathleen Berry | December 3rd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
What great post! I love animals but don't know much about horses so this was really fascinating for me to learn so much about these magnificant creatures and the basic process of taking care of their feet with great care. You are a great teacher, Martha. Thanks for helping educate so many of your fans.
Posted by: Jane McSwain | December 3rd, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I never knew there was so much to shoeing and I partially grew up on a farm with a horse and a mule.
Very interesting.
Since I don't tweet, I didn't know you were sick, but I pray you're a lot better by now.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Fascinated as to why horse's wear shoes? How long in human history has it been done?
Posted by: Mari Lisicki | December 3rd, 2012 at 9:59 pm
My late husband and I had a small horse farm in Ocala, Florida and your post brought back sweet memories of the horses we lovingly cared for over the years. Our mini schnauzer loved to snatch the trimmings and chew on them like gum.
Speaking of our schnauzer, you inspired her name. When we bought home this tiny, beautiful, white puppy, we discussed what to name her. I said, "I know, we'll call her Martha, because she's a good thing." And we did. And 11 years later, she still is - a good thing!
Posted by: Carole Barnhart | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Hi I am absolutely in love with the Friesians are an absolutely beautiful breed. I just wanted to put up here a thing I learned from reading Horse Illustrated. There are several companies that are making different types of shoes that are said to last longer and be even better than traditional metal shoes. Nanric.com is one of the sites I found also there is a company called Soundproof technologies you may like to check out. I just wanted to share this with you I hope you and others reading this find it helpful.
Have a great holiday.
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | December 3rd, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Wondeful to see your blog about the horses being shod, and so nice to see a woman doing the work. Farriers are truly craftsmen and I greatly admire their work.
I would disagree, though, that horses "need" to be shod. Barefoot trims allow for the natural shape and action of the hoof and all of the supporting structures in the hoof and leg to move, expand and contract in a natural way. While some horses will be well served by being shod there are many, many horses who live and even compete barefoot. And, as one of the previous comments indicated, there are now alternatives to metal shoes that allow for greater, more natural action of the hoof's structures.
I encourage you to look into hoof and leg physiology and shoeing alternatives if you have not yet done so; there are many great resources and wise teachers out there to present the options.
Posted by: Dawn Lawrence | December 4th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
I had no idea how much work it is to shoe a horse! Thanks for sharing1
Posted by: Frances | December 4th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I agree with Dawn's comment above -- you should be moving beyond metal shoes for your horses. Barefoot is best Martha. If they cant be barefoot, you should not have all 4 hooves shod. At least the two hind should be barefoot. Please try some more humane and natural alternatives. your horses are not in heavy work and do not need shoes.
Posted by: amy | December 5th, 2012 at 12:36 am
That was very interesting, and so informative. Thinking about keeping horses and trying to learn about what it takes to be a good owner before I take the plunge. Who knew that horses needed shoes so often? Only slightly more often than me!
Posted by: Gillian Taylor Moss, Somerset, England | December 5th, 2012 at 3:13 am
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... well I'm
not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Posted by: Pisos BCN | December 7th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Our Percheron draft horses just got their winter pads and shoes on too! And it is finally snowing here in Minnesota with more to come tomorrow. The sleigh is coming out this weekend! Can't wait to go sleighing, I hope the snow sticks around till Christmas. Have a fantastic Christmas Martha!
PS... love reading your blogs on the Friesians
Posted by: Colleen Klaers | December 7th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Greetings Martha! I was absolutely enthralled with this post. Like so many others before me wrote, I never knew so much went into fitting a horse with its shoes! Your site is truly enclyclopedic in its scope!!
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Posted by: cris | December 21st, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Please consider that your horses do not need to have any shoes at all! I work with the author of Paddock Paradise, Jaime Jackson, and between the environment, boarding practices, diet, management and hoof trimming (to mimic the wear patterns of the Great Basin Wild horses), your horses could ALL easily be barefoot. It is so much healthier for them (shoeing effects homeostatsis, blood circulation, etc.) and the horses simply cannot move naturally if their foot is not on the ground. Would love, love, love to send you some books on this. Please take a peek at the "News & Articles" page at http://www.aanhcp.net, or at the following websites, http://www.paddockparadise.com and http://www.isnhcp.net. All the very best and kind regards, Jill Willis
Posted by: Jill Willis | January 2nd, 2013 at 8:19 pm
I have a coming 7yr old Friesian mare, we train and show dressage and trail ride on very rocky roads, and all kinds of terrain in four seasons. She is and always will be barefoot
Posted by: Crystal | April 5th, 2013 at 9:48 pm