Forging a Heartbar Horseshoe

[eFarriers]

Its always fascinating to watch a horseshoe formed from a piece of metal.

[Magnificenceof3]

Great video, but that's a set toe not a rocker toe!

[densonfarrier]

@Magnificenceof3 I haven't heard the term, "set toe" in a very long time. Normally, when I've heard it, it was coming from a farrier from Europe. According to "Principle's of Horseshoeing II," by Dr. Doug Butler (see page 332) what I have on this shoe is a rocker toe. However, many European farriers will call it a set toe. So, to the best of my knowledge both a correct terms for the same thing. However, if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

[gtfarrier]

Very nicely done, do you make the solar surface of your frog support level with the solar of the shoe, or offset it at all?

Also, a bit of a non sequitur I know, but has anyone mentioned how very similar your voice is to that of Jamie Hyneman of the Mythbusters team?

[densonfarrier]

@gtfarrier Thanks for the nice comment. The answer to your question depends on whether I'm using the frog support just to increase support to the palmar aspect, or if I'm using it for a laminitic horse.  My preference is to use as little static pressure as possible, and in most cases keep it level with the solar surface of the shoe. As to part two of you question: I've been told numerous times that I sound like Jamie. I've also been told that I look like him too. Long lost brother??

[agile52]

can you use induction heating to get the same results as firing the metal?

[densonfarrier]

@agile52 Yes, you can use induction heating, however, as of right now the necessary equipment is too bulky and normally requires at least 220V which most barns are wired for. In a shop setting it would work wonderfully, but after calculating the cost of equipment, propane/coal/coke are still much more economical. In the future, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see induction heating become much more mainstream for farriers, though the price would have to come down on the equipment.

[dawg1157]

No flux on the two joined pieces of metal?

[densonfarrier]

I used Sure-Weld on this particular weld, but I've recently switched to Iron Mountain which takes a little getting used to. However, once you get used to it, it makes welding mild steel just like wrought iron, e.g. it almost welds itself. Thanks for the question!

[pcc483]

very nice work.

[densonfarrier]

I've recently had to remove a comment on this video and wish to explain. It was a warning against going to a particular farrier school. I want these videos to serve as an educational opportunity. As such, the comment was deleted. I do suggest that before attending any farrier school, do your homework. I've personally heard horror stories about various schools, including the one mentioned in the deleted comment. For prospective farriers, I recommend, Heartland Horseshoeing School.

[fluffy1696]

what is the purpose of the fire welded section, ive not seen it before and was just wondering what it for?

[densonfarrier]

The welded section, also called a heartbar or frog plate, transfers weight bearing onto the frog and off of the hoof wall. In cases of Laminitis, it is desirable to do this in order to stabilize the bony column and prevent further displacement of the pedal bone resultant from the failure of the lamellar bond.

[AFACF]

well done

[freakyjos]

cool! i've never seen how's a horse shoe is made.. well only once but for 5 mins so didnt see much

[Furiosonorthstar]

Great job :)

[water3417]

thanks for posting the video its great and very informative

[xxxlotus000]

I know nothing much about blacksmithing/farrier work except for terminology, but I am fascinated by smith work (heck, I am not even a big horse fan). Thanks for posting!

[densonfarrier]

Thank you very much, and I wholeheartedly agree.

[sltydgg]

Great video den. There is a lot of good information out there from some really good farriers, but your videos are by far the most comprehensive and helpful. The more information you can put out there to help our profession the better. Even the simplest concepts need to be review by some apparently. By the way, to anyone posting, the easiest way for us to tell you know nothing about hoof care is to insult without any justification. This isnt preschool, grow up.

Thanks again den

[bullrider31]

concave is for traction shithead

[jaycek]

Many thanks for putting this video up.

Nice looking finished end product.

[fuzzyb29]

NIce shoe.I've been shoeing for the last 12 yrs.Mostly standard-bred trotters and pacers.I consider myself a good farrier.But in the age of premade shoes I think I had forgotten some of the techniques used in making horseshoes from bar stock.Nice work.

[farrierric]

nice job real craftsmenship,ric

[densonfarrier]

Sloppy? Concave is for guys who can't punch a shoe? So, I guess your saying that guys like Billy Crothers, Doug Butler, Mike Wildenstein, Bob Marshall, and the majority of farriers in the United Kingdom just can't punch a shoe, am I right? I put these videos up for people who wanted to learn, but it sounds like you already know all there is to know, so my advice is 1.) Put up you own videos showing us the "right way", and/or 2) stop wasting our time with your uneducated criticism. Thanks!

[dragolas86]

Nice

[Anvilfolk]

Hi!

I was wondering how heavy the anvil is? She looks pretty heavy! It also doesn't seem to ring at all, did you do anything to keep it from doing so? What is it standing on?

Thank you in advance :)

[Anvilfolk]

Ah, I'm sorry, it seems the weight has already been addressed in another of your videos. Being from Europe, I am guessing # stands for pounds. My training (in blacksmithing) was with anvils about the weight, I believe :)

If I remember correctly, the anvils we used were on angle-iron stands, with a lead sheet the anvil sat on. Attached or bolted were bars that passed over the feet of the anvil, and it was pushed down by bolts through these bars. Can't remember much ringing either!

Thank you.

[densonfarrier]

Thanks for the questions. It is a 260 pound anvil sitting on an aluminum stand that is bolted to the hardwood floor on my truck. So in addition to to the weight, aluminum, and wood, the truck is sitting on rubber dual wheels. I get great rebound, but little ringing, except when I'm working the heel.

[Anvilfolk]

Thank you for the answers!

I hadn't thought of rubber at all, but it might actually work very nicely in reducing the ringing! Thank you very much again, I appreciate the answer :)

[mortson978]

what is the anvil made of? Cast, Wrought, or Steel?

[densonfarrier]

It's a 260# JHM Competitor. It is cast steel, differentially hardened. I think JHM sold their product line to Anvil Brand, but they are still cast in the old foundry in Peaster, TX.

[georg811]

Good jop...

very nice and shiny shoe.

[jillyfilly86]

Beautiful!

[yorkfarrier]

never seen it made that way but came out looking good

[densonfarrier]

I learned this method from Dr. Butler, and its worked well for me.

[davidkozelsky]

wow what a shoe!!! good job...Keep posting,please.

[guicelent]

awesome, very good men, thank you very much!!!! i will training My heart bar now!!!!