Barefoot farriers/trimmers

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2awesomenatives

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For those whose horses/ponies are barefoot, how long does your trimmer/farrier spend trimming their feet?
Do they just trim them and it’s done, do they ask question about them, do their access them walking etc?
 
Same here, qualified equine podiatrist. About 45mn., discuss management, feed and exercise, scores body condition, checks gait before and after trim, makes recommendations on how to treat any developing foot problems like soft soles or gravel in white line then emails a report summing it all up.
 
Qualified podiatrist, EPA full member.

Lots of chat, no looking at the horse move, left the horses with shocking foot balance. Reckoned he knew better than my vet

When I mentioned that the one mare had hobbled out of the stable after he left on a previous visit (he hadn’t watch her move before or after) he airily declared that ‘it must have been the grass’.

Very nice and good with the horses, but shockingly ignorant about good foot care.

Still working now.

A worthless qualification. He charged double what the much better farrier did, too. It’s a rip off.
 
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Two farriers come to my yard to trim other people's horses. As far as I can see they trim the foot as if they were going to shoe it and then don't. It takes them a few minutes. The barefoot trimmer who comes takes about an hour. She's only been once so perhaps next time it will be quicker - she did a lot of measuring and taking pictures. She is much more interested in overall health. I have the feeling that this is quite a common difference.
 
I have been using the same qualified farrier who doesn’t shoe unless it’s composite for 10 years without any issues. He’s with me around an hour for both boys, always asks how they’ve been before he touches them, watches them walk, takes his time, never touches the sole or the frog, addresses DP’s foot imbalance so he’s always sound and if needed takes video to assess the gait. I ask him all manner of uneducated questions and in return he will explain patiently and he’s even taught me how to rasp correctly. Wouldn’t swap him for the world.
 
Reason I have asked this question is because my 2 boys are barefoot and we have a farrier that I have had for a few years.
He comes, trims both boys in 15mins and goes. Has never asked questions, has never seen them move.

No I know they saying is ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it’ but I’m stating to wonder if the need a more thorough check, not because they have problems, but because the boys are barefoot, I want to make sure they are as comfortable and as level as can be 🤷🏼‍♀️
 
Mine is here for about an hour for 2 trims, mostly on the big one who is ridden. He's about an hour and a half with shoes.

Watches her move, asks how they are, goes into massive detail about anything I ask, collaborates with the vet (x rays, balance, etc). Always on time or early, super reliable, goes over and above in emergencies.

Tbh it's taken 30 years and a 200 mile move to find a farrier this good. Having dealt with a number of fairly rubbish farriers and even a trimmer with a cult like following up north (who I sacked after he beat the crap out of a big horse with orthopaedic issues), he's worth his weight in gold.
 
I use a farrier, and it depends on the horse as to how long he takes, I suppose roughly between 15 and 40mins depending on the horse. He always watches them walk, and if its a new horse he wants to see it trot as well, he tells me what he is doing, and answers any questions I ask, hes unfailingly kind to the horses, totally reliable, and he has kept all my horses sound and happy from the 33yr old retired pony to the grand prix competition horse and everything inbetween.

Before I moved house I asked him if he would still come and do my horses now we were further away, if he would have said no, I wouldnt have bought my house.
 
I used a farrier to trim my barefoot boy (and Shetlands, and previous barefoot horse)
He watches my horse walk out the stable, takes him about 20mins to trim.
We always have a good chat, and he asks how horse is doing/if there's any issues etc. I know I can phone and speak to him anytime if I'm worried. He was absolutely brilliant with Winston's canker despite being new to it - did lots of research and ended up knowing more about it then the lecturer on his latest CPD course.
I know what you mean about it being quick, but I think it depends on your farrier and the relationship you have with them. Together we have worked out a system that suits my boy - he's trimmed every 4 weeks and his frogs are cut back quite a lot as I need to see what is going on incase the canker comes bak.
 
Farrier does mine, he watches her walk first and updates me if he notices something before/during trim.
Whole thing takes about 30 or 40 mins depending on madams mood.
 
Ooh that's interesting. I have never had a farrier that's watched a horse walk first. Tbh if you have had a farrier who has done your horses feet for years, you are happy with them and they are sound, I'm not sure id worry too much about how long it takes. Mine wouldn't tolerate endless faffing so it's horses for courses
 
I will admit I’m not sure why he does! I’ve been very happy with his work but sadly he moved house so I’m back to waiting on someone new who will hopefully be here this week.
Most days she’s cool as a cucumber but if she’s in season / there’s a suspicious looking bumble bee over there, patience is required!
 
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