Hoof Tutorial: Carving

Here is a photo tutorial on carving out the hooves.

This is a traditional Breyer ASB model and the horse's left hind hoof is being carved out. 

Photo Number 1.

Here you have the hoof clean and sanded flat. Smooth out any rough areas around it, and reshape it if needed. Some Breyer hooves are almost square shaped or have a couple of edges at the back that aren't round.  But this is to show the underside of the hoof or "frog" of the hoof.

Photo Number 2.

This is the Dremel tool tip you'll need.  It's the diamond tapered tip and they sell them at any Walmart, or Lowes or Home Depot.  This is the best tool for the job. Holding the leg in your hand using your finger to support the back of the hoof against the pressure. The position of the hoof is best if the hoof is pointing down to your lap with the heel towards the ceiling

Photo Number 3 & 4.

Now, starting at the back of the hoof which will be the top. Take the dremel and carve out a 'V' shape. You start at the top of the hoof and just lay the tool tip down against the hoof. Rock it from side to side and sand out the 'V' shape. Simple.

Photo Number 5 & 6.

Now take the tool tip and again starting at the top of the hoof (the back), lay the tip on the outside of the 'V' and press the tip down while leaning it down and slowly pull it around to the bottom of the 'V'.  Do the same to the other side. You don't need to carve the bottom (which would be the front) of the hoof as much as the back. It tapers out. The motion you're doing is a swinging motion with the tool. You are pressing it in the corner of the top of the 'V' and you swing it down and around in a steady motion.

Photo Number 7 & 8.

The next and final step to carving out a hoof is to break the connection at the back of the hoof where the top of the 'V' tips connect to the outer edge.  Imagine if you will that the shape you've carved so far would look like a outline of "Pac-Man".  You have a ring around the hoof, and it cuts in to make the Pac-Man mouth. What you are doing now is cutting the mouth.  You take the tool tip and grind out the top of the 'V'.  Next just do alittle fine sanding and cleaning out the carved areas, and there you have it.