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I have picked myself up off the floor and have collected
myself. Here is some advice, Howard.
1) No beer at least 24 hours in advance of the
shoeing and none during your studying for 24 hours before AND after (helps with
retention). :)
2) Find a back up farrier who can save your
butt if you get it in a sling. However, if you quick your horse, ain't
nobody but Father Time can fix that.
3) If you are really serious and have the time,
APPRENTICE or ride along with a GOOD farrier with YEARS of experience.
Since it's you, that might cost you a penny or two. :)
4) There really is NO substitute for experience,
Howard and I would be mighty cautious about trying to learn how to shoe a horse
for such an important ride especially if you plan to go barefoot the rest of the
time anyway...if we weren't planning on the Pyramid Challenge that weekend (OD
is tentatively slated for us the next year), I'd tell you Nelson would take care
of it for you just cuz you're a swell guy. :) And before we hear
about what is the IDEAL time frame for shoeing a horse before a ride, I
unfortunately have my horses shod frequently the night before a ride!! A
GOOD farrier working on a GOOD horse can get away with this. Not something
we recommend but it can be done in a pinch and Nelson has done it many times at
rides. His talent for doing so has brought us many new clients.
5) May I suggest Doug Butler's books on
horseshoeing. They are Nelson's favorites and there is another one that I
think is called Shoeing the Performance Horse but can't remember the author or
find the book.
GOOD LUCK, Howard.
Maggie
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