Dr. Tail Japanese Steel Hoof Knife with Brass Hoof Pick – Blue Laminated Wood Handle

The Dr. Tail Japanese Steel Hoof Knife with Brass Hoof Pick is a professional farrier knife that combines two essential hoof care tools in one. A Japanese stainless steel blade with a turned loop tip pares the sole, frog and bars, while the solid brass end cap on the handle works as a hoof pick for clearing packed dirt and stones before you trim. The blue laminated wood handle is shaped to fill the hand and is secured with three rivets for a solid, steady feel.

Key Features

• Japanese stainless steel blade takes a keen edge, holds it through long trimming sessions and resists rust.
• Curved blade with a turned loop tip cleans the collateral grooves and central sulcus and lifts away loose sole and frog tissue.
• Solid brass end cap doubles as a hoof pick, so you can clean and trim without switching tools.
• Laminated wood handle is built from many thin layers bonded together, making it stronger and more resistant to moisture and cracking than ordinary wood.
• Ergonomic handle widens toward the end for a secure grip and better leverage.
• Three rivets lock the blade firmly into the handle.
• Laser marked with the Dr. Tail logo and SKU on the blade.
• Supplied in a clear Dr. Tail protective sleeve.

Clinical and Farrier Uses

• Cleaning packed mud, manure and stones from the sole and frog with the brass pick end.
• Paring dead, flaky sole during routine trims and before shoeing.
• Trimming ragged frog tissue and cleaning the frog clefts.
• Trimming and tidying the bars.
• Exploring suspected abscess tracts and areas of white line separation.
• Cleaning the collateral grooves when checking for thrush.
• Routine claw trimming in cattle, sheep and goats.

How It's Used

• Pick up the hoof and use the brass end cap to clear dirt and debris from the sole, frog and grooves.
• Brush the hoof so you can see the sole, frog and white line clearly.
• Turn the knife around and hold it firmly, bracing the hoof with your other hand.
• Pare the sole with short, shallow strokes, always cutting away from your body and the hand holding the hoof.
• Use the loop tip to clean the collateral grooves and the central sulcus of the frog.
• Trim only loose, dead tissue and stop when you reach firm, waxy sole.
• Wipe the blade clean between hooves and between animals.

Ideal For

• Professional farriers and hoof trimmers
• Equine and large animal veterinarians
• Horse owners who maintain hooves between farrier visits
• Barn managers and boarding stables
• Livestock owners trimming cattle, sheep and goat claws
• Farrier students and training programs

Specifications

Care

• Clean off hoof material after every use and dry the blade completely.
• Hone the edge regularly with a fine stone or hoof knife sharpener; a sharp knife needs less force and is safer.
• Sharpen only the beveled side of the blade and lightly remove any burr from the flat side.
• Wipe the handle and brass cap dry; the laminated handle resists moisture, but should not be left soaking.
• Store the knife in its sleeve or a tool roll with the blade covered.

Safety Notice: Hoof knives are very sharp. Always cut away from yourself and from the hand holding the hoof, and keep out of reach of children.