Shoe Pulling 101

There are few things more frustrating to me than to know that I'm needed for a hoof care emergency and not available.  Whether I'm away on vacation or with my family on the weekend, it's a horrible feeling to get a call from a client letting me know that they have a horse who has twisted a shoe and is now uncomfortable on it.  My first question is always, "Do you have a set of shoe pullers?".   It's usually followed by a disappointed, "no".   From afar, there's not much that I can do to help other than to try to walk them through the process using whatever tools they have.  As much as I want to be available for my horses' needs, there are sometimes that I'm just...not.  I have always believed that one of the fundamental skills that should be developed by anyone with a horse in shoes is the ability to pull one of those shoes in an emergency.  And to do that,  you need the proper tools.  

In the video to the right, I go over the importance of learning how to pull a shoe in an emergency as well as the tools used.  There is also a step by step guide to using these tools.  I know I make it look easy, but that's my job.  You may work up a sweat doing this yourself, but it will be well worth it to your horse if you're able to help him out when I can't.
The tools mentioned in the video can be purchased online at various farrier supply shops.  I would suggest avoiding the very cheapest tools available and the most expensive.  The former will be difficult to work with and the latter more than you need.  I would suggest considering these Shoe Pull Offs and these Crease Nail Pullers.  But get what you can afford as something is better than nothing.