Just hit 50 horses shod in a single day last Tuesday

I've been at this for about 7 years and always figured I could push harder. Last Tuesday I had a cancellation-free schedule and started at 5 AM. By 8 PM I had 50 sets done. My back is still reminding me about it four days later. Has anyone else ever counted up their one-day record and regretted it?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy30226d ago

Wait, did you use anything special for the shoes or change up your method? I had a similar 45 horse day last fall and honestly the only thing that saved me was switching to a lighter rasp and keeping my anvil right next to me so I wasn't walking back and forth. Also started stretching every 10 horses for like 30 seconds - just a quick back bend. Made a huge difference in how I felt the next day.

nina83426d agoTop Commenter

Oh man, YES @amy302 you get it! I tried switching to a lighter rasp once and it was a game changer for sure. But honestly, what really saved me on those big days was keeping my anvil right next to me too, like you said. I also started doing quick arm stretches after every 15 horses or so, just rolling my shoulders back, and it helped so much with the soreness. I bet that back bend you do is golden for the lower back, that's always the first thing to scream at me after a long day. It's crazy how little tweaks like that make the difference between being wrecked the next day versus just being tired.