Tried a different rasp on a draft horse with a tough hoof wall

Had a big Belgian with hoof walls like concrete last week. My usual rasp was just skidding off, so I grabbed a coarser one from the bottom of my box, a 10-inch I hadn't used in years. It cut in way faster than I expected and I ended up taking off more material than I meant to in just a few strokes. Had to slow way down and be way more careful with the pressure. Anyone have a go-to rasp for really hard feet that doesn't bite too aggressively?

3 comments

3 Comments

simon_carr1d ago

Yikes, that's a classic mistake. A coarser rasp doesn't just cut faster, it's way harder to control. For rock-hard walls, I actually go for a sharp fine rasp and let the grit do the work with less pressure.

linda_reed1d ago

Sounds like you learned that lesson the hard way too.

emma_garcia1d ago

Ugh, YES. Tried forcing a coarse one on old plaster once and it just gouged everywhere. Light touch with a sharp fine file is the only way to go.