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Discussion on Natural trim on mules
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New Member:
Kenkat
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Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2006 - 10:42 am:
I am trying to apply the natural trim to a mule. She is at 55 degrees and 3and 1/2 inches from toe to coronary ban. Healthy frog and bars. I have never shoed the hinds and ride in the mountains so I figure to give this a try. Using Iodine and formaldahyde to quicken the sole hardening process. Is there any discussion on mule natural trims. thanks
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Friday, Mar 17, 2006 - 11:24 am:
Hi, Ken,
I am quoting from Pete Ramey's book MAKING NATURAL HOOF CARE WORK FOR YOU: (There's a photo of a mule's trimmed foot in the book, too.)
Mules and donkeys both do exceptionally well with natural care.
The frog tends to be further behind the heels than in horses, and the coffin bone is much smaller for a given hoof size than in a horse. The frog bears weight very well and the trimming parameters are the same. Mules and donkeys are very tough and have strong hooves. Putting shoes on them is truly a waste of effort. I have never seen or heard of a well-maintained mule or donkey being tender footed and can't imagine why anyone has ever felt the need to protect their feet. If you go in the natural hoof care business you will find that the owners of mules will flock to you in DrOves. You will be able to turn their "typical" short, stiff legged gaits into long smooth strides and they will love you for it. I, of course, let the individual hooves give the final answer, but I have found that most mules and donkeys with healthy feet can be maintained successfully on eight to twelve week trimming schedules.
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