New to gaited horses this year and have a question on hoof angle. Been reading confliciting therorys on whether there is true "gaited" hoof angle for MFTs. Been using the same farrier for 10 years on my QHs and Arab, but seem to be having issues with my MFT. After about 3-4 weeks into the shoeing (I reset every 6 weeks) my mare starts to get stumbly. She is shod with a short toe and has a bit of heal.

Any suggestions on how to correct the stumbling? Could this be a break-over issue? Really only notice this issue on uneven trail ground when doing the running walk, not on flat arena ground. And problem always occurs at the 3-4 week interval. Farrier says that correct hoof angle is the same for all breeds, there is no special angle for gaited. He is certified Journey Man Farrier, so if I tell him how I want her shod, he might balk at me if I don't provide him with some info. Any suggestions on hoof angle for gaited horses?

Tammy,we have found that on the front,usually somewhere around 52 on the angle is best.I think I may have some articles on that in my old "The Gaited Horse" issues.I will try to find them,and bring you a copy to Big Creek if you like.Are you coming to the show at Ava in 2 weeks?

We went through this same thing several years ago.Most farriers say that the most natural way to shoe is the best,depending on that horse's hooves/angles to start with.I know our other horse Red can't have 52 angle on the front,he has more natural slope to his hoof.But you are right in that the normal Quarter Horse farriers won't shoe a foxtrotter like they need to be in order to gait well and prevent stumbling.

I expect a backlash from some farriers on this,so I'm prepared.We've gone through it for years with good farriers,over and over,and when we found farriers that were experienced with shoeing gaited horses (not necessarily plantation shod or padded TWH either) we had the best luck with those farriers' work.

There is good info on this subject in Brenda Imus' book, Gaits of Gold.  Also you might look at the gaitsofgold.com website.

And sometimes, it just takes "tweeking" to get it right for a particular horse.

http://gaitsofgold.info/wowbb/forum47/4943.html

Apparently the consensus is that QH's in comparison are too steep in front and too low in back, compared to the angles need by a laterally gaited horse...lower in front and higher in back.  Asking to have the rear toes squared will speed the break-over point and allow your horse to collect easier and transfer more weight to the hindquarters increasing stability.  (I do this to nearly all my hunters...long and lanky usually needs some help.)

Rich, you and I are on the almost on the same page... I don't "tell" my farrier anything. Just requested some more info from experienced people who have "soft" gaited horses. My farrier reviewed the info and modified the angle and toes based on her confirmation, movement and her current use. He is the expert on shodding horses, not me. Just needed some info to discuss intelligently with him. I have the only gaited horses he shods, so he was interested in the info.

Crowleyridgegirl is correct in that if the angle is off, the horse cannot gait correctly... Same for saddle fit.

So basically in a nut shell, correct angles are needed for any breed for correct movement. Never, ever have had an issue with performance out of my Reining QH or ex-endurance Arab with my farrier. Thus, just needed to get the MFT on the right track.

Rich, while I understand where you are coming from I don't think anyone said point blank it's X or it's wrong.

Any farrier worth his weight in shoes wouldn't ruin a horse just to give a customer what they think they need.  A good farrier would listen to your request and then explain exactly why you can't/shouldn't do that on your particular horse.  A great farrier will understand why you made the request and find a path to resolve any issues you are concerned about as long as they are valid.  (Most folks don't ask for a certain angle just because their friend has them...these aren't Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos!)

If you see something on a horse and wonder about why it's there ask your farrier and let them tell you what that "thing" does for the hoof/horse.  Answers to questions are usually free while they are working.

Hey, we're all on board together. But crummy shoeing / trimming affects horses gaited or non. The danger here is that the horse is an individual regardless of breeding.There are no specific packages because of breed. You can't tell your farrier / trimmer " the toe should be x measurement and the hoof angle x because it's gaited". He'll likely roll his eyes, give you want you demand and take your money. There are just far too many variables at play. Ponytammy did the right thing and everything worked out for horse and owner. What works for one does not become "fact "for an entire breed. FYI 50 - 54 degrees is considered normal range. Now, my QH comes in about 48 degrees, not exactly " stood up". You should see my farrier bill to keep this flat footed, thin soled, barrel chested, pigeon toed, base narrow behind trail monster going ! Not flaming , discounting, or calling anyone out or info bogus but horseshoeing is goverened by " it depends" ( apologies to Tom Stovall). Rich

He'll likely roll his eyes, give you want you demand and take your money.

Rich, like I said I don't think they will...If your farrier would you need a new farrier!