My mentor in Kentucky told me to always use a size 0 shoe on that tricky quarter crack, and it finally held after six months.

He said the smaller shoe would give more support, but another farrier I respect argued a size 1 with a wider web was better for expansion. I went with my mentor's advice on a client's thoroughbred, and the hoof has been solid ever since. Has anyone else had a similar debate over shoe size for a specific crack?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant8261mo ago

Your mentor's size 0 worked, but I'd be worried about the long term pressure on the quarters. A tight shoe on a crack can sometimes just transfer the stress up the hoof wall.

tyler_fox411mo ago

Wait, a size 0? That's crazy small for a horse shoe. I didn't even know they made them that tiny.