As I prepare to head to the high country to scout some bucks next week (don’t worry, I’ll take you along), I’ll share some of the things I do to get ready. Also, we just started a new forum, Backcountry Stock, on Rokslide’s forums for all your horse and mule people. Check it out here
Horses and mules are a great way to access the buck country, but they’re an expensive habit. From feed, to property, to trucks, trailers, and tack, the cost can add up in a hurry.
Keeping horses shod is another expense, but I learned about 8 years ago how to keep some of that money in my pocket. I first learned how to trim my own horses. For about $100 in tools a little time, and some muscle, I can save myself $400 bucks a year (considering 5 horses, two trims/year, $40 a trim).
After about a year of trimming on my own, I bought another $150 in tools and hired a good farrier to teach me how to shoe. It took about two years to recoup my costs, but at $100 a horse, twice per year, I was in the black fast.
Knowing how to handle a horses feet in the backcountry is also a needed skill, and trimming and shoeing gives you that skill.
So if you’re a DIY-everything guy and would like to get familiar with trimming and shoeing your own stock, give these two videos a look. If you decide it’s for you, you can also pick up the book Elements of Farrier Science by D.M. Canfield here.
You can use some of the money you save to put in an extra scouting trip, get some needed gear, or just keep mama happy- which is always a good thing.
As mentioned in the video, there are 10 Steps to shoeing a horse:
1) Clean
2) Flat w/ rasp
3 Shape hoof wall
4) Shape Shoe
5) Nail
6) Rasp walls to final shape of shoe
7) Rasp under nails to prep for set
8) Set nails
9) Gator pliers
10) Rasp Nails
My new book, Killing Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life has more information on hunting with horses and a whole lot on hunting big bucks. Available on Amazon here or click the cover below.
Make sure you “Subscribe to blog” upper right under Fitness/Other so you don’t miss the upcoming scouting trip.
Robby,
Although I don’t have horses, I always enjoy learning something new! However, I have a different topic for you. I’ve hunted deer in Wisconsin and Colorado for years and love the terrain of both states. My 11-yr old grandson is interested in hunting (his father doesn’t hunt!) so I wanted to buy him an excellent basic hunting book to get started. Is your latest “Hunting Big Mule Deer” offering basic enough for him (he’s a good reader and sharp for his age) or is there a better basic book he should start with? Since I’ve sat a few seasons out, I may purchase your book for me but any help you can give me on a basic book for my grandson would be appreciated.
Regards,
Dan
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hi Dan
My book is definitely geared towards hunting the older bucks a unit may offer, but I’ve always believed if you can learn to hunt the big ones, the younger bucks will be no problem at all. However, I wouldn’t say my book is basic. You might look at Wayne Van Zwolls “Mastering Mule Deer”. In 11 chapters he covers everything I guy would need to know to get a real feel for mule deer hunting. He’s a good hunter and good writer. plus Wayne is a good guy to support. God bless your little man and his hunting future.
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