Diamond Horse Rasp

A hoof that has run long, or a rough edge between farrier visits, does not wait for the next appointment. This 14-inch steel rasp handles both halves of the job. The rasp side takes material off in controlled strokes, and the file side follows to leave a smooth surface, so you shape and finish with the same tool in your hand.

The rasp is 14 inches long and 1.75 inches wide, with single-cut edges. It weighs 1.3 pounds, so it carries easily in a farrier box or a bucket. The teeth are made to perform in wet and dry conditions alike, which matters in a Florida summer, when hooves come in soft and muddy, and in the drier months, when they harden up.

Highlights

• Rasp teeth on one side for controlled hoof removal
• File teeth on the other side for a smooth finish
• Single-cut edges
• Steel body, 14 inches long
• Built for wet and dry conditions

Why a rasp and file in one tool

Most hoof work is two steps: take the hoof down, then smooth it. Carrying two tools means a second trip to the bucket. A rasp that flips to a file side keeps the job moving, which helps when you have a horse standing still for a short window.

A rasp like this suits the owner who trims between farrier visits, the trail rider who needs to clean up a chipped edge before a ride, or the barn that keeps a horse or two on a regular schedule. It does not replace a farrier's work on a shoe, but it is the tool you want on hand for the in-between jobs.

At a glance

How to use it

1. Hold the foot securely, and work the rasp side to bring the hoof down in short, controlled strokes.
2. Flip to the file side for the finishing passes, to leave a smoother surface.
3. Tap the dust out of the teeth as you go, so they keep cutting instead of sliding.
4. Check the hoof often, and stop before you take off more than you need.

Call your farrier for shoe work or a crack that runs deep, and call your vet if the hoof is hot or the horse is tender on it.

Good to know

• A rasp loads up with hoof dust. Tap it out or brush it, and keep the teeth cutting.
• Keep it dry between uses so it does not rust.
• Keep it in the tack room with your hoof pick, so it is ready for the next loose edge.
• Hooves grow about a quarter inch a month, so a rough edge can build up quickly between visits. Catching it early is easier than fixing it later.

Keep one in the tack room, so the next rough edge does not wait on a trip to town.