Am I within my rights? (sorry long)

S

Show Girl

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I have a problem with the farrier I was using for my lot. 2 1/2 weeks ago he came out to shoe my WB who had lost a back shoe and his foot was pretty ripped up, I had previously asked him to put rolled toes on his backs cause he tends to toe kick and rolling the toes works for him, this wasn't done until the last time he came out, part of the inside of his foot was missing and I questioned a: the nail you could see where the gap was as it was through the shoe straight up through the gap and into the hoof above. b: the fact that there was so much shoe showing where the gap was as I was worried that he could stand on the shoe and rip it off. 2 weeks later he ripped the shoe half off his foot taking even more hoof with it as I had to remove the shoe it was pretty obvious that he'd pulled it off due to the shoe being so proud. I will doubt very much a farrier will get a shoe back on this foot for a few months due to it being so bad, so my showing season is finished ! Today the fronts are now coming off clenches are all showing, I am going back out to him in a bit to take them off before he does more damage ! My question is am I within my rights to ask for my money back from the last shoeing? I did ring him when shoe came off and left a message asking him not to come out to my horses again (he was due to do my other 2) and explained why, I would have expected at least a phone call apologising but nothing. The WB has good feet normally because I am merticulous about them as I had problems when I first got him, but this was sorted by previous farrier that unfortunately I couldn't afford anymore - £120.00 a set, 3 horses, big pay cut! This farrier I had used 4 times and his feet are knackered. I am at the moment still looking for a new farrier but am really cautious now to who I use. In the mean time I just want to get my money back for what can only be described as shoddy work ! :mad:
 
Hi I'm not sure about your situation but maybe mine would help you?
Our girl had lami and the farrier came down to put heart bars on - all was fine, until she went lame again - the vet came out and we discovered rotation. The conversation went that the vet wanted the farrier to come out and reposition the heart bars on one foot (worse rotation) and take both toes right back. He said the shoeing was rubbish and her feet were different shapes. We asked the farrier to come out and look at her and reshoe according to the xrays we were having done - long story short, we didn't have the xrays before the farrier came down so he pulled her out looked at her refused to do anything and took the £20 we'd left for the work!!
2 weeks down the line, he came back out and her lameness had worsened (the vet said due to the farrier not doing it earlier) - he actually did the work and took £20 off the bill for that day but nothing was said. She's now improving SLOWLY but her feet are still 2 different shapes and its unbalancing her - we'll be definitely asking for him to rectify that too - we are allowing him to finish the work on her and that'll be it.
I'd ask your farrier about the money? We are currently looking for a new farrier too :(
I hope all works out for both of us and our horses!!
 
After having my fingers burnt with a greedy vet, I am now being very cautious about who I let near my horses. I will look over any work done and be asking even more questons now. I am about to pay £650 for cra#p bandaging that kept falling off, the vets have banded together and are saying 'the horse disagreed' with the dressings. Nothing to do with the vet wrap unravelling while the horse stood with its head on the floor from sedation!!!!
I have learnt a very expensive lesson, if your paying for it, if its your horse, ITS YOUR CHOICE. Choose wisely and if you are not satisfied, vote with your feet. Hope it all works out ok
 
minmax said:
I have learnt a very expensive lesson, if your paying for it, if its your horse, ITS YOUR CHOICE.
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It might be the customers choice, but a farrier (generally) knows best.

OP, no, personally I don't think you have the right to demand your money back, although possibly a partial refund.
 
Donkeymad said:
It might be the customers choice, but a farrier (generally) knows best.

OP, no, personally I don't think you have the right to demand your money back, although possibly a partial refund.
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TBH, I used to think so too, as we have only had 4 farriers in 35+ years and all bar one have been excellent but then I look at the feet of other people's horses and think 'Goodness me! (Or words to that effect!) I wouldn't let that farrier anywhere near my horses' feet'. If I had to look for a new farrier for any reason I would a) ask a trusted vet for the names of farriers they have worked with successfully b) look at the feet of every horse in the district and ask the owners of those whose feet I liked the look of who their farrier is. I honestly cannot believe the shape of some horses' feet.
OP, I'm afraid that you do tend to get what you pay for, although admittedly £120 sounds a bit steep.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
TBH, I used to think so too, as we have only had 4 farriers in 35+ years and all bar one have been excellent but then I look at the feet of other people's horses and think 'Goodness me! (Or words to that effect!) I wouldn't let that farrier anywhere near my horses' feet'. If I had to look for a new farrier for any reason I would a) ask a trusted vet for the names of farriers they have worked with successfully b) look at the feet of every horse in the district and ask the owners of those whose feet I liked the look of who their farrier is. I honestly cannot believe the shape of some horses' feet.
OP, I'm afraid that you do tend to get what you pay for, although admittedly £120 sounds a bit steep.
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The farrier was recommended to me, he charges £65.00 which is the normal rate round here so I would have expected a decent job, not shoes falling off a couple of weeks later and feet knackered. Have decided to contact THE FARRIERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL tomorrow and get some guidence.
Believe me I gladly paid the £120.00 for each horse and still would if I could afford to but being made redundant and taking a £10k salary drop has kinda put pay to that.
 
Donkeymad Id also have to disagree. Everyday i see at least 3-4horses who have been shod really really badly - and their clients rave about what a good job they do. For every good farrier out there there are at least half a dozen bad ones - I just wish a few of the good ones would move over here! Am about to choose a farrier for my own horse for the first time - and am dreading it, there isnt a single one I would genuinely use on my own horse other than a semi-retired guy who just does his own and remedial work.

I really wish most farriers ARE the best to know about hooes and shoeing but sadly it just isnt true - a good farrier is worth his weight in gold so if you have one, hold onto him!!
 
glenruby said:
For every good farrier out there there are at least half a dozen bad ones - !
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That's OK, cos I have to disagee with this. There are bad farriers out there, no doubt about that, but certainly not as many as you suggest. Posts on here show how often Customers think they know better than farriers. Again, sometimes they do.

Gonna have to agree to disagree:D
 
I'd speak to the farrier and try to at least get some money back, you don't get if you don't ask. I wouldn't hold my breath though, i hate to say but you might have had a better chance if you'd got him the day that he put them on. If you find a good farrier that doesn't do your area you could maybe take your horse to be shod at a yard that he's going to? I'm having to do that with mine as i've moved my horse to an area that he doesn't cover, i don't trust anyone else and my farrier can't recommend anyone who he trusts to do him properly. In regards to your horse not having much foot left to put a shoe onto, vettec (sp) that make equipak liquid/gel pads have got a product that is specifically for building up the hoof to be able to nail a shoe onto. Can't remember the exact name but if you google it you'll find the vettec (sp) website and you can get details of it on there. You'd probably have to ask the farrier for a price, they don't list them on the website. Hope this helps x
 
I am a believer in if you don't ask you don't get so yeah ask for your money back as you are not happy with the service. How rude not getting back to you. I think he sounds like he's really not interested dont you think?

I was unhappy with my last farrier and although I am no expert, I just knew my lil guy was not comfortable and so after discussions with local people in the know I now have a wonderful farrier. My boy is a lot happier and he feels so much more balanced and forward...although we are still working on the standing to be mounted bit ^o).
 
***UPDATE***
Rang farrier this morning and he will be sending me a cheque in the post today. In the mean time have decided I will probably give Dexy 3 months off to get feet right, I can spend sometime with my 5 year old who needs re-breaking, so there will probably be plenty of posts from me re falling off, injuries etc etc :D
 
If you go here --> http://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/findafarrier.asp?page=findafarrier you should be able to find a farrier in your area. Might be worth asking other people in your area who they use.

You can ask for your money back from him but I expect he won't give it to you. TBH, I know money is tight for everyone at the moment, but I think with things like farriers, it's worth paying more for someone you know is going to do it properly, than going for someone cheaper who insists on ballsing it up!
 
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