Cordless grinder for hoof care

[Kyrabee]

What is a good brand of grinder for hoof care? Much prefer cordless. I am having a hard time getting my horse used to the idea anyway so would say negatory to a corded one. I think we will get to acceptance but it is going to take some work.

I bought a cheapy one and for the life of me, I cannot get the battery out. It came out of the machine so I got it charged once. I don’t have great hand strength but I am going to work on that.

Her trimmer of 15 years retired and after having 3 different farriers get the balance wrong, trim too short (and screw up the balance)…or not trim at all saying they are “fine” …at the 8 week mark (!), I am going to trim myself doing just a small job every couple weeks. So far, it is going well and she is moving great but the grinder would help my ailing back.

TIA Susan

[lenapesadie]

Both of the farriers in my area that I know use grinders use Dewalts. I’m sure there are other choices but I only personally know these two guys and they both use that brand. They are not affiliated with one another in any way.

[LCDR]

My farrier uses a hoof sander (hoof buffer). It is not a Dewalt tool but he uses his attacged to a Dewalt drill, so I assumed at first the whole unit was Dewalt. The sanding sleeves fit over an inflatable rubber cuff, and are held in place by air pressure from a small hand pump. That makes them easy to change.

Hoof Buffer Attachment

[Kyrabee]

Thanks…will look into the buffer. My local farm store (D & B) Carrie’s Dewalt. I can get 10% off every Tuesday and they do have Dewalt sales a couple times a year.

[LCDR]

Just so you know, the hoof buffer is a two-handed tool. So if you normally use one hand to hold the hoof and the other hand to grind it may not be the right tool for you. And for one handed use, and if you have smaller hands, a lighter, smaller grinder would be best.

If you choose a Dewalt grinder, use the smallest size battery. That will help reduce the weight you will need to hold. It will still grind the same, not just for as long a time as with a high Ampere Hour (Ah) battery.

I have an assortment of cordless tools. Black and Decker batteries are really hard for me to install and remove compared to Dewalt. I have no experience with Milwaukee.

[Kyrabee]

Thank you for the heads up. I do have a Hoof Jack but with still learning the finer points, I do usually have to hold a hoof with one hand. Yes, lighter would be better. I am just doing one horse so the smaller battery should be fine.

A friend has a small grinder and does her horses’ feet once a week. She never has to do much and they both look fantastic. Also, my locale is high desert which in the summer means rock hard feet. I can’t even make a mark with a hoof knife on bars or sole. The grinder would assist with keeping the bars shaped and where they belong.

[Snowdenfarm]

I am so happy that I made the move from my big, heavy, corded, Makita angle grinder to my small, light, cordless, Milwaukee angle die grinder. BUT the battery was really hard for me to get out at first. It is getting easier though.

[ChocoMare]

I’ve been trimming with a 4" Makita for 14+ years. I have small hands and all the cordless ones were WAY too heavy in the battery end. Too much downward pull on my wrists.

There is the Saker small cordless grinder that’s come out…haven’t tried one yet but doubt I will… I don’t like the angle of the head. Methinks it would be awkward but you may want to try one.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Saker-Mini-Cordless-Angle-Grinder-12V-16800-RPM-Brushless-Portable-Cut-off-Tool-Kit-with-Extra-5-PCS-Disc-2PC-Batteries-Charger/1964923603

[Kyrabee]

Thank you Chocomare, I was hoping you would see this thread.

The Saker is the one I have that I cannot get the battery out of. The tabs won’t release…even with me using pliers and my Mom pulling on the body. Granted you have a combined 161 years of old lady pulling but dang it. I had the tabs fully depressed and it would not give up the battery which has to be removed to charge .

My friend has one similar to the Saker. It works fine for her but the battery life is pretty short.

I agree with the smaller one. My horse has relatively petite feet so I don’t need a large grinding surface. My hands are not very strong which I need to work on. I put a couple on my Amazon list. Dewalt is mega $$$…the battery is more than the tool! I know they are good but budget is an issue so I probably won’t get that one…plus the weight issue.

In the meantime, I will just keep doing it the old fashioned way. I am trying to do a trim every two weeks so I don’t have mountains of hard hoof to rasp. I was hoping to avoid getting nippers but will probably get some soon.

[ChocoMare]

Do try the 4" Makita. Start with a 50 grit disc and practice on logs, so you get the feel for taking tiny layers of bark, without hitting wood.

If you want to stick with hand rasp, invest in a pair of Bud Nippers. SUPER sharp, easily adjustable for one-handed compound leverage and the heads can be replaced or resharpened.

[Kyrabee]

Thank you.