11/11/2026
The best advice I ever got as a farrier was simple.
“Trim toe quarter to toe quarter and leave a little for next time.”
The longer I do this, the more that last part sticks with me. Knowing when to put the nippers down is just as important as knowing where to make the first cut.
That sole depth protects the sensitive structures inside the foot. That sound hoof wall helps carry the horse’s weight. Take too much of either and you can leave a horse sore on a foot that looked pretty damn good in your hand. The horse has to walk on it as soon as you set it down.
You can improve the angle and keep depth in the foot. Sometimes that means addressing the excess toe and setting breakover while preserving the sole underneath. Sometimes the best change you can make today is a small one, and you build on it the next time you see that horse.
Once you learn to read the foot and know when to stop, the rest starts falling into place. A good trim sets you up for a good fit, and a good fit sets you up for a good nail line.
You get to put your tools away. That horse has to wear your decisions till you come back.
David Moose, CJF