"Surform" Tool For Hoof Trimming.

A compact light weight tool to substitute for a rasp and hoof nippers whilst Trekking the BNT.

Farriers are not always easy to find on the BNT or there may be a delay before they could get to the trekker necessitating delays in the trek.

Horse Trekkers on the BNT that intend to do their own horse shoeing or who wish to carry some tools in case they have to refit a pulled shoes will both be aware of the considerable weight of the tools required.

No Trekker will carry an anvil on the trail but of the tools carried for shoeing, the rasp is one of the heaviest and longest tools carried. There is a small lightweight alternative that is an excellent substitute. This tool is called a "Surform" and is made by the Stanley / Record company in the UK. It has an alloy body with a replaceable tool steel sole plate (about 1mm thick) containing the cutting teath. This tool can be found with the wood working tools in your local hardware store and does a great job trimming horses feet. It is available in a block plane shape (illustrated) or in a longer version similar in length to a rasp. There is one job the Surform can't do and that is to file metal such as dressing down clenched horse shoe nails. Why bother as many people contend that filing the nails is largely cosmetic and considerably reduces their holding power increasing the likelyhood of a pulled shoe.

The hoof nippers can also be eliminated as the same material can be removed from the foot with the Surform rasp but it just takes a little longer.

Contributed by Graham Crossley April 2004