A WWYD, loan pony.

[PonyIAmNotFood]

I part loan a fantastic horse who's fabulous, one of the best I've had. Her owner seems lovely, everything is going swimmingly. However, though she's kept very up to date on most things, her feet don't seem to be she's shod and doesn't grow much, doesn't throw shoes, they're not especially under run etc. so her owner doesn't seem to see the need to get them done every 8 weeks or so. I've hinted, asked, offered to book them, everything but it just doesn't seem to get through. Last time the farrier told my friend (who was holding her) that she was risking damage to her tendons etc., which the friend passed on to the owner, but as she's not had any problems from it she doesn't seem to see the issue.

Am I being over cautious wanting them done every 8 weeks even though they still look neat and tidy after that time? I feel it's a major issue, and am really thinking of stopping loaning her but that would be awful as everything else is so perfect I've offered to go halves as I'm skint and can't do more (hence I'm loaning not owning), however that doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

[Crazycob06]

I can't answer as in what damage it could do as I am still learning in the horsey world but I know that my mare can get 8 weeks no problem and yet I still panic at 7! Haha! I wouldn't give her up because of it though, just keep encouraging the owner I guess, or if its bad enough bluntly tell her how it is!
Hope it all works out!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Thanks, I just like a quiet life and I love the general situation but last time it got waaaay past the 8 weeks and was quite awful, I felt for the mare I've been quite blunt already and I don't know how much more she needs telling than a message from the farrier saying 'you're going to damage your horse'. Argh

 

[Crazycob06]

Does she not deal with the farrier at all? Has he told her what he thinks?

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

She works late so as far as I know doesn't tend to deal with him. He's passed on what he thinks but this doesn't seem to have an impact. Horse isn't lame, she's striding out, not footy etc. but I'm just not comfortable with leaving her for months and months and carrying on riding :/

 

[AmyMay]

Tell the owner that you can't continue to loan the pony if it's not shod more often.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Wouldn't dream of going 8nweeks (with a shod horse), mine gets done every 6 weeks. Does she need to be shod? Might be safer barefoot!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Amymay that does keep popping into my head, I'm very sure she could get someone else in a heartbeat though as horse is so so lovely so I'd be pretty much terminating the loan but then at least I'm no longer involved with letting her down. I've yet to see if she'll respond to my latest request for the farrier, could be jumping the gun and she's booking her tomorrow, hope so.

 

[Natch]

Could you try to convince the owner to take the shoes off? Would mean she didn't need farrier attention so often as she would wear her feet down herself to some degree and it would be cheaper too

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

I thought barefoot, she has generally good feet and has a good diet for barefoot but I don't think it'd be something her owner would be open to, she's mentioned before she probably could go shoeless but she likes her shod.

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Not sure why that is btw, I don't see her very often to bring it up and am generally very laid back so not taken seriously when I do suggest things, just looked on as 'hippy dippy' (by most traditional type horse people anyway)

 

[Crazycob06]

Wouldn't dream of going 8nweeks (with a shod horse), mine gets done every 6 weeks. Does she need to be shod? Might be safer barefoot!

My mare goes 8 weeks with ease (i never go any longer) My farrier and I are more than Happy with that. But I agree with you, barefoot would be a safer option for this mare if she will do it!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

I'll have to try and bring it up without being seen as the crazy nature lady haha, it's very much a traditional yard where most are shod including those that never leave the field and it's taken as gospel that almost every horse needs shoes. *dons brave pants* thanks guys.

 

[Aarrghimpossiblepony]

How long are we talking here?

Seems to me if the owner has had the horse for a while and the horse has no problems with her management, I can see why she is ignoring your suggestions.

 

[Spotsrock]

Ask farrier to speak to her if you're concerned.

 

[Nosey]

Always amazes me how many people do cut corners here. To me its in the same category as feed & water. Years ago we loaned out our gorgeous little 15hh for byrds..he'd been at advanced med with my sister who outgrew him. Loan home bought him flashy rugs, new little horsebox but we asked for our farrier to keep shoeing him as had done him all his life..farrier reported back she was leaving 4+ mths btwn shoeing..unbelievable! Think your owner needs to hear it from the horses ie farriers mouth but appears she may be in denial on the subject!