Every winter the shoeing activity inthe West Palm Beach, Florida areapicks up dramatically. A recent visit

to the area for an FPD clinic gave us an oppor-tunity to visit with farriers that work the areayear ‘round as well as those that follow theshow circuit for the hunters, jumpers and dres-sage horses. Many of the top horses in the eastand Midwest call this home for a few monthseach winter. We visited a number of farriersworking in the area, and along with RudiKerckhaert of the Kerckhaert Horse ShoeCompany talked with them about variousshoes, styles and techniques.

We spent time both on and off the showgrounds at Wellington. There are a number offarriers that stay throughout the show seasonand others that come in from their home areaon an as needed basis. It’s not often during thecourse of the year that you will find so manyfarriers working on so many show horses in suchclose proximity. There is a camaraderie thatdevelops as farriers work in a setting like thisand it was interesting to see this in action.Many farriers that work through the seasonhere help others with equipment, supplies andeven labor when necessary.

The work that is available in West Palm Beachis not unlimited despite the large numbers ofhorses that winter in this area. Many of thefarriers have lived here, at least during theseason, for a number of years and havedeveloped their clientele through years ofdedication and attention to the work they do. Alarge number of farriers that travel in for shorter stints have clients here that they have worked for at home for many years. Thelevel of show competition is very high and the expectations of the client are also. They rely heavily on the farriers to get themthrough what can be a strenuous period.

January/February 1996 The Natural Angle January/February 1996

Volume 6: Issue 4

A PUBLICATION OF PRACTICAL IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR FARRIERS

WINTER IN WEST PALM

1

Most of the stabling is done in temporary stalls.

Rudi Kerckhaert discussing Triumph shoewith Dan Haussman and Sean O'Neill.

This Monetta trailer rig is set up for allcontingencies.

Conference between owners and farriers.

Hoof has a crack developing. George Fitzgerald and Dan Haussmandiscuss options.

Continued on Page 2

The Natural Angle

2

Lopez Tools

Quality in action.9" Crease Nail Puller Saddle Horse Clincher

Lopez Style Clincher

(800) 468-2879 • (502) 633-5767www.farrierproducts.com

put the odds in your favor.

Kerckhaert Racing Plates now available.Including Kings XT Fronts

(800) 468-2879 • (502) 633-5767www.farrierproducts.com

You see a lot of farriers working in the show environment witha variety of rigs and equipment set-ups. Most carry a fullrange of power equipment, including drill presses and tappingequipment, as most of the jumper clients require screw-instud holes to be put in the shoes. There are different types ofshoes used but you find a majority of the shoes being put onare pre-clipped fronts and hinds. The time saving features ofshoes like the SX-8 and other Kerckhaert styles are criticalto keeping up with the workload. Most horses are shod on a4 to maximum 5-week schedule- sometimes even less. A lotof hunters and some jumpers are getting aluminum up front.You frequently see steel or aluminum egg bar shoes.

The farriers that have been on this circuit have learned torely on each other. We watched as two of the top farriers onthe circuit, George Fitzgerald and Dan Haussman, consultedwith one another on a quarter crack case. This is one of theadvantages of shoeing in the show environment; you canoften get feedback and opinions on problems from some ofthe top farriers in the country.

As many of the farriers will tell you it’s not all “fun in thesun” shoeing the winter circuit. But those that have developedtheir skills, with the horses and people, find this to be arewarding opportunity. n

Another trailer, built by Stone Well.

Front shape being markedfor outside branch.

Warmblood just in fromEurope.

Hot fitting hind.

Typical hind shoeing,drilled and tapped.

Ira Green checking fit ofnew Triumph.

Continued from Page 1

The Natural Angle

3

West PalmBeach ShoeingClinicThe show venue has been the source of anumber of shoeing styles for many years.George Fitzgerald spoke about this in afarrierproducts™ shoeing clinic heworked with Dave Farley. They spent aday going over the shoeing of the jumper– with Fitzgerald explaining the evolutionof shoe styles on the circuit from the 60’suntil today. Fitzgerald was focusing hisattention on the hind end during the clinicand he brought shoes he dated for theattendees. He started with the hand madeheel caulks on hand made and keg shoesof the 60’s, to entirely hand made shoesof the early 70’s. The next phase was theheel and jar caulk of the 70’s and 80’s. Inthe 90's a number of farriers started usingstuds instead of caulks which led to thecurrent shoeing style using pre-shapedand pre-clipped shoes like the SX-8 or DFKerckhaert series. Drilling and tappingshoes for as many as three stud holes hasreplaced the heel caulks once forged byhand.

But regardless of the general “style” youwill notice that many farriers havedeveloped their own particular style thatmarks their work. There are a number offarriers that have traveled the circuit formany years and have seen a lot of styles,fads and miracle cures come and go.What endures is a good understanding ofwhat the horse has to do for a living anda realization that good sound hoof prepand careful attention to the details willkeep you in the hunt.

We will do an in-depth article on theshoeing of the jumper in a future issue. n

Dave Farley, left and George Fitzgerald during a clinic break.

Dave nailing front shoe.

Finished front.

George Fitzgerald working on hind foot.

Finished hind fit.

L to R: Ira Green, Rudi Kerckhaert andDave Farley discussing shoeing techniques. 60's to 70's style 70's

70's Early 80's Current

Roy Bloom did a knife-sharpening article in aprevious issue of the

Natural Angle. His processinvolved the use of a beltsander and other powerequipment such as the grinderwith the felt wheel. This is avery effective method but youmay find this is not practical.Using the same logic as Bloom,you can keep a pretty goodedge with some of the handheld sharpeners and hones thatare on the market. The key toany method is to not let theknife edge get away from you,but rather keep it maintainedwhether you use power or handequipment.

You will have to establish the finebevel that was mentioned by Bloom.

It may take more than a hone to dothis. If you don’t have access to abelt sander or other power tool youmight use a file with a very fine cut-and at least one round edge. TheBellota 6” or 8” file has the type ofcut you need. When you haveestablished the bevel you can thenuse a hone to fine tune the edge.There is a new diamond particlesharpener from farrierproducts™ thathas a solid shaft and the kind ofshape that works well for a hoofknife.

You should secure the knife in avise if possible. This puts the knifein a stable position and makes itpossible to use both hands on thesharpener. Your sharpening shouldalways be on the top side of theblade. Your strokes should be even

and as much as possible atthe same angle. Work thehook with the narrow edgesof your hone. Some hones areround and small enough to goin the hook- others have ataper that allows you to workin the hook area. (Eze-lapmakes two models that havefold up handles and a smallenough diameter to work.)Keep in mind that as yourknife wears, the thickness ofthe blade near the cuttingedge changes. You will occa-sionally have to come backwith a file to reduce the thick-ness of the area behind theedge. It is this long taper thathelps the knife work through

the cutting stroke easier. If it is toothick you will meet with resistance.

The back of the blade shouldalways be flat. A quick stroke of thehone to knock off any burrs should

be the only work on that side. If youtry to sharpen from the back sideyou may create a bevel that makesit difficult to get a smooth stroke.

The Natural Angle

4

MAINTAINING YOUR EDGE

SUPER FAST™

The New, 30 secondset, All-In-One Hoof

Adhesive for Farriers

Call Vettec at 800.483.8832 For more infomation.

Left to Right: Eze Lap tapered (model 571),Eze Lap round (model 551) farrierproducts™

sharpener, Bellota 6"and 8" files.

Secure knife in vise.

Continued on Back Page

The Natural Angle

Most of the hones need maintenance aswell. It may feel like the hone has lost it’scutting ability when it is merely a build upof dirt that is causing the tool to fail.Most diamond particle hones can becleaned with warm water and soap -thereby extending the effective life of thetool. Be sure to use clean water and dryyour sharpening tool very carefully.

You can do a pretty nice job ofmaintaining your knife’s edge withhand tools. The power equipment mightmake the job a bit quicker, particularlywhen you are trying to establish thebevel and when you are trying to get apolish on your blade. n

Flip knife and take off any burrs from backside.

Use both hands to make even, full strokes with sharpener.

Continued From Page 4