Chance 2 Ranch

(231) 258-0973

Greg Lucas, Farrier

(517) 262-6193

Serving 35 miles surrounding Grass Lake.

Greg Lucas has been riding horses his entire life and has practiced farrier work for the past 17 years.  He understands the importance of treating each horse with kindness and respect.  Greg views each horse as an individual in the way it moves and uses its feet - he is experienced with corrective trimming and shoeing, and has worked on most breeds, including pleasure, stock, mules, drafts, and ponies.

NO HOOF, NO HORSE!

A horse is only as sound as his feet. Care and management of the feet will vary depending on the individual horse, his conformation, hoof structure, environment, climate, and use. Whether he needs to be shod or can be left barefoot will also hinge on these factors.

A horse is only as sound as his feet. Care and management of the feet will vary depending on the individual horse, his conformation, hoof structure, environment, climate, and use. Whether he needs to be shod or can be left barefoot will also hinge on these factors.

Horse owners should try to keep a barefoot horse's feet tidy, with no rough edges to split or chip by having the farrier rasp away superficial cracks and keeping the edges smooth.  Cracks and flares give infection an opening to enter the foot, including white line disease.

It takes 12 months for a horse's hoof to completely grow out from top to bottom, so a schedule of 6-8 weeks between trims will keep your horse’s feet healthy and eliminate costly future problems such as cracks and disease.

Horse owners should try to keep a barefoot horse's feet tidy, with no rough edges to split or chip by having the farrier rasp away superficial cracks and keeping the edges smooth.  Cracks and flares give infection an opening to enter the foot, including white line disease.

It takes 12 months for a horse's hoof to completely grow out from top to bottom, so a schedule of 6-8 weeks between trims will keep your horse’s feet healthy and eliminate costly future problems such as cracks and disease.

Winter time slows hoof growth, therefore, you can extend your trims by one or two weeks, however, it’s important to maintain a regular schedule  of 6-8 weeks- when the hoof wall is just slightly longer than the sole of the hoof, or as soon as you see chips and cracks, it’s time to call your farrier.

Now is the time to schedule your trimming!

HEALTHY HOOVES - Start from the inside out.

Its easy to overlook the condition of your horses feet during the rainy season - you may think your horses' feet look healthy, when they are actually lacking the proper nutrients. 

Proper nutrient supply is critical for hoof tissue quality and function. If nutrition is compromised either due to nutrient deficiency or an imbalance of overfeeding one ore more nutrients, there is a potential for inferior tissue to be produced in the hoof. 

Hoof problems associated with nutrient imbalance are thin walls, thin soles, cracking or flaking of the hoof wall, and disrupted hoof patterns in the hoof capsule. 

A balanced diet that includes adequate amounts of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and water should be the starting point.  Consult your veterinarian and local feed stores for information on balanced nutrition in your area before problems arise. 

Your farrier can only work with the feet your horse has.  Nutritionally it takes 6-8 months to see improvements in an already-damaged hoof.  Note in the first photo above, the wide open splits in the hoof indicating that this horse was lacking in nutrition and regular trimming.  These cracks can leave the horse unsound and in pain, possibly leading to infections leaving it unsafe to ride. 

The second photo shows the horse after about eight months of balanced nutrition and regular trimming.