Re: RC: tucking the butt

[Dave & Abby Bloxsom <cyclone@snet.net>]

> Do you mean turning the shoe under the bulbs or just filing a bevel on the
> shoe?

This is hard without pictures.

I leave maybe 1/4" of shoe showing at the heel when the foot is on the
ground (I don't turn it under the heel as far as I might). Since this is
a piece that can catch on things, I file a little bevel on the hoof
surface of the heel of the shoe so that anything that catches is more
inclined to slip off.  It's an old-timey English thing, as I recall. 
Known as a "boxed" heel, I don't know why.
> 
>  >Wouldn't a hind swedge have the same "braking" effect you were concerned
>  about with the square toe?>
> 
> Gives grip and stability--no slipping. Square toes just stop the foot short.
> 
I guess I see "grip" as something that would do the same thing. 
Actually, though, the toe should be the last part to land.  The hoof
should land like an airplane, back end first.

I'm not arguing against a swedged shoe - I actually like them for many
reasons.  One is that they provide a degree of traction that's more
similar to the bare hoof than a shoe is.  But in the case of a horse
that forges, the square toe is really mainly to give clearance to that
front foot that may not be getting out of the way quickly enough.

-Abby


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