Old timer told me my rasps were dull and he was right after 6 months of struggling

I was at a clinic in Lexington last fall and this older farrier named Tom came over during a break. He asked to see my rasp and just laughed when he handed it back. Said I was working twice as hard as I needed to because I was too cheap to replace my worn out farrier rasps. I had been using the same Nicholson for almost a year thinking it was fine. He let me try one of his fresh ones and the difference was night and day. Trim on a front hoof took me like half the time. Now I swap rasps every 3 or 4 horses and my hands dont ache near as much. Has anyone else had a vet or another farrier call them out on something basic like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavin3651mo ago

That old timer calling you out on your rasp is exactly what happened to me with my nippers a few years back. Once you feel how a sharp tool cuts vs a dull one, theres no going back. Swapping rasps every 3-4 horses is solid advice, saves your hands and makes the whole job easier.

jamie8041mo ago

You ever have a buddy who just refused to listen? My friend Mike was the same way. Used the same rasp for years, thought it was fine. Then he borrowed my sharp one during a trim and his jaw literally dropped. He bought three new rasps the next week. Now he's the guy telling everyone else to swap them out.

murray.cora1mo agoMost Upvoted

Absolutely agree on that "no going back" part. Same thing happened to me after a guy at a clinic let me try his sharp rasp. Felt like night and day compared to what I'd been struggling with. Now I keep extra rasps in my truck and swap them out every few horses like clockwork.