Dropped $120 on a pro hoof stand and it's been collecting dust ever since

I got all excited last spring after watching some online video about how a fancy adjustable stand would save my back. Bought one from a big catalog, the thing weighs like 40 pounds, and it's such a pain to haul out of my truck I barely use it. My old plastic block and a bucket lid work just as fine for 90% of horses I see. Anyone else blow money on a tool that sounded great but just sits in the corner?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_ray18d ago

...but I actually disagree. That fancy stand is a lifesaver if you're doing corrective work or dealing with old arthritic horses. I bought one three years ago and it's paid for itself in back pain avoidance alone. The trick is to just leave it set up in your truck bed instead of packing it in and out every time. Sure it's overkill for a quick trim, but for the bad hind legs or the draft crosses it's totally worth dragging out. Your bucket and block setup works fine most days, but that stand is the difference between walking out of a barn sore and finishing your day strong.

olivia_allen1mo ago

That fancy stand is basically a boat anchor now, huh? I've seen this happen to plenty of farriers and horse owners who buy the big heavy gear thinking it'll be a game changer. My advice is put it on craigslist or Facebook marketplace for half what you paid and you'll probably get your money back from some other sucker. Then just stick with your bucket lid and block setup. Half the time the simple stuff is more practical anyway, especially when you're working out of a truck.

kai_butler831mo ago

Hah! That reminds me of a buddy of mine down in Ocala who bought one of those super expensive portable anvils that folds up into this massive briefcase thing. He swore it was going to change his life. First time he took it out on the road, it took him like twenty minutes just to get it set up, and by then the horse was already fidgety and mad. Ended up just working off the tailgate of his truck for the rest of the day. That briefcase anvil is now a glorified doorstop in his garage. Sometimes the simplest tools really are the best.