| Every horse owner should know how to pull a loose | | | | puller's jaws between the shoe and the buttress of |
| shoe in an emergency. Whether it's a sprung shoe, | | | | the hoof's heel. Push the tool's handle inward and |
| your horse is stepping on the clip or worse, here are | | | | forward. (It's important that you don't pry outward |
| a few guidlines for pulling off a shoe. Please call your | | | | this could rip off a substantial chunk of the hoof wall.) |
| own farrier and tell him your situation, as well as | | | | |
| asking him for his advise (or hers). | | | | - Step 3. After you've loosened both heels, pry the |
| How to Pull a Loose Shoe | | | | shoe's toe loose in the same manner. Keep your |
| What You'll Need | | | | other hand on the toe of the hoof to stabilize the |
| | | | hoof. |
| From Left to Right | | | | |
| - Crease nail pullers | | | | - Step 4. Repeat this motion wherever the shoe is |
| - Pull-offs | | | | still nailed, until it comes off. If any nails remain in the |
| - Hammer | | | | hoof wall, pull them out with the shoe pullers. |
| - Clench Cutter | | | | - Step 5. Apply a hoof boot or cover the hoof and |
| - Rasp | | | | soul with a protective material: Center the padding |
| How To Do It | | | | over the sole, bringing the edges up around the hoof |
| - Step 1. Pick up your horse's hoof. If you can get a | | | | wall. Secure it there with the elastic bandage; cover |
| grip on them, pull the nail heads out with the crease | | | | the bandage with strips of duct tape to keep the |
| nail puller. (Be sure to discard the nails in a safe place, | | | | hoof edges from wearing through. |
| where they won't be stepped on.) | | | | - Step 6. Confine your horse and schedule a farrier |
| | | | visit today. |
| - Step 2. Loosen the shoe heels by slipping the shoe | | | | |