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c/farriersumaf44umaf449d ago

My boss told me to always use a size 8 nail for quarter cracks, and it blew up in my face

When I was an apprentice, my boss swore by using a size 8 nail for patching quarter cracks, saying anything smaller wouldn't hold. I did that for years. Last month, I was working on a thoroughbred with a really thin hoof wall, and that size 8 just split the wall further. The vet on site, Dr. Miller, told me to switch to a size 5 for that case. It worked perfectly and the horse healed up fine. I feel like I was given a one-size-fits-all rule that doesn't actually fit all. What other 'always do this' advice have you guys found doesn't hold up?
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2 Comments
johnthompson
My old foreman insisted on soaking every hoof for a full 20 minutes, no exceptions. Wasted so much time on horses that just needed a quick rinse.
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willow_ellis
Isn't that overkill, @johnthompson, when a quick scrub often works just as well?
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