Farrier’s Corner: Remove a Loose Shoe

By Corey Minnick, AFA CJF

Photos by Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore

You just returned from a trail ride and begin untacking and cleaning your horse. As you pick out one of his hooves, you see it: Sometime during your ride, your horse pulled his shoe partially off and bent it. You can’t leave it like it is because your horse may damage his hoof wall if he pulls off the shoe. Or it could be more dangerous: He may step on a toe clip or nail and puncture his hoof, risking bruises, abscesses or worse. So you’ll have to pull it. Here’s how.

The Tools

At the very least, you’ll need a farrier’s rasp, shoe pull-offs and a crease nail puller. Ask your farrier if he has an old rasp he can give you. You can purchase the other tools through a farrier-supply store or online. I recommend investing in a good brand, such as Diamond or Mustad, even if you don’t expect to use the tools often. You’ll spend around $50 for the shoe pull-offs and a bit more for the crease nail puller, but it’s worth it because it will make the task easier, particularly if you aren’t used to doing it. Other useful tools you might add to your toolbox include a clinch cutter and a driving farrier hammer.

How-To

1. Use the rasp to file the clinches flush with the hoof wall to eliminate them. Alternately, you can use the clinch cutter and hammer to do the same. (Ask your farrier to show you how to do this safely when he comes out for your horse’s next shoeing.)

2. Stand facing the rear of your horse with your shoulder next to his. Pick up your horse’s hoof and support it between your thighs, just above your knees.

3. Use your nondominant hand to support the hoof as if you were picking it. Holding the shoe pull-offs in your other (dominant) hand, slide the jaws under the sides of the shoe at the heel on the side that is intact.

4. Firmly pull the handles TOWARD your stomach so the heel of the shoe lifts away from the hoof and the nails begin to loosen. Repeat this several times as you work toward the toe. Once you’ve reached the toe, begin at the other heel, again working toward the toe.

5. If the nails are coming out easily, use the shoe pull-offs to finish the job. If you need some extra leverage or you weren’t able to completely eliminate the clinches with the rasp, use your crease nail puller to remove the individual nails. (Be sure to collect all removed nails; you don’t want your horse to accidentally step on one!)

6. Once the shoe is removed, you have several options for protecting your horse’s bare foot until your farrier can put you on his schedule. No matter which option you choose, your goal is to protect the hoof from cracks and chips as best as possible, so there’s enough hoof to nail the replaced shoe to.

Use your rasp to ease the sharp edges of the hoof. Be careful to just ease the edge and not take off any hoof wall. A Rider’s Rasp is a safe option for doing this if you’re not comfortable using a farrier’s rasp.

Wrap duct tape around the edge of the hoof six or seven times to protect the hoof and keep your horse from cutting himself on the sharp edge. (Be sure to cover JUST the edge and hoof wall, not the coronary band, which can be damaging.)

Use a hoof boot, if you have one.

Corey Minnick of Hagerstown, Maryland, is an American Farrier’s Association Certified Journeyman Farrier. He works on all breeds with a special emphasis on performance horses. When he’s not crafting handmade shoes, Corey competes in professional jousting and has earned several national championship titles. He can be reached at midvalleyfandf@gmail.com.