![\"The](\"http:\/\/www.farrierproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/Yearling8-11.jpg\" "\\"Farriers")
<\/a>The medial flare and overall lack of symmetry in this front hoof show why the yearling sales test the farrier skills.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Lexington, Kentucky thoroughbred market is in a phase that pushes farriers exceptionally hard every year at this time. The Keeneland September Yearling\u00a0Sale<\/a>\u00a0is just around the corner and the yearlings that have been trimmed\u00a0since they were foals are now about to get their first shoes. The pressure is on the farrier to\u00a0achieve the most correct look but avoid creating problems for the future.<\/p>\n The market has shrunk.\u00a0In\u00a0past years the September sale\u00a0cataloged as many as 5,500 yearlings, this year numbers\u00a0are projected to be around 4,300. Another downward shift has been in the shoeing schedule. First shoeing often took place in early to mid-August with another shoeing just before sale day. In some cases, there might have been 3 shoeings. Today, a combination of economic pressures has caused many farms to plan a shoeing only once, just before the sale. Nevertheless, the trimming that started as foals has gone on with a 3 week interval being a typical schedule.<\/p>\n Farriers strive to get good alignment of the hoof-pastern axis and give good support.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Typical shoeing involves putting\u00a0light steel training style shoes on the front, usually a Kerckhaert DR 15×7<\/a>, and just trimming the hind. A lot of effort is put in cleaning up the outer wall and putting a “shine” on the job. After all, it is\u00a0sale time\u00a0and looking good is part of the game.\u00a0The farrier has a significant role in the annual sale ritual.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \u00a0 The Lexington, Kentucky thoroughbred market is in a phase that pushes farriers exceptionally hard every year at this time. The Keeneland September Yearling\u00a0Sale\u00a0is just around the corner and the yearlings that have been trimmed\u00a0since they were foals are … Continue reading <\/a>