QUESTION

I'm hoping you can help. I have a gaited grade horse. No papers. Some people have told me he's a Fox Trotter, others have said a walker. I tend to think he's a walker. Prior to this horse, I owned a Fox Trotter. When I first purchased her, my shoer told me he angled her a certain way. After he moved, I couldn't find a shoer who agreed. Every farrier I've used has either said you shoe a gaited horse the same way you shoe any other horse, or they didn't know what the difference would be. My question is this. Since I have nothing to confirm whether he's a walker or trotter (and in fact he could be both for all I know), would I shoe him the same way regardless. Or, do you shoe a walker differently from a Fox Trotter. Thanks much for your help.

Pam Rank

ANSWER

DEAR PAM RANK,

IF THIS HORSE IS A GOOD, SMOOTH RIDING HORSE I WOULD SET HIS FEET WITH THE BONE STRUCTURE OF HIS ANKLES. IT WOULD BE HARD TO SAY WHETHER HE IS A FOXTROTTER OR A WALKING HORSE WITHOUT PAPERS. SO I WOULD SET HIM AT ABOUT 52 DEGREES AND ABOUT A 4 IN. TOE. WITH A HEEL SHOE ON THE FRONT AND A FLAT PLATE BEHIND TO KEEP HIM RIDING SMOOTH. THANK YOU KEITH MIZER