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Had a shoe blow out on a draft horse in Bend that nearly took my thumb off
It was a Tuesday morning at the Miller ranch, and I was fitting a new set on their Percheron. The old shoe had a hidden crack and when I tried to pull it, the whole thing snapped and a piece flew straight at my hand. I had my glove off for a finer adjustment, so it was pure luck I only got a deep cut instead of losing a finger. Has anyone else had a shoe fail that violently, and what's your go-to check for hidden flaws before you start pulling?
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jordancoleman2d ago
My buddy had a shoe shatter on a big Belgian last year. He swears by checking for rust lines now, says they often show where the metal's weak.
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henry_palmer242d ago
Man, that's a scary one. After a similar close call, I started tapping every shoe with a light hammer before I touch it. A solid shoe rings clear, but one with a hidden crack or a bad weld gives you a flat, dead sound. It adds a minute to the job but it's saved my hide more than once.
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