Barefoot people - what do you think?

Tarragon

Tarragon

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Do any of you do most of your own trimming but have a professional trimmer/farrier coming regularly to keep an eye on things?
My old trimmer can no longer come out to do my pony. She positively encouraged me to trim in between visits and gives me her rasps once she had finished with them, and we used to joke that the goal was to get to the point where she would visit, and say there was nothing for her to do. My pony isn't straight in the leg and wears his hooves unevenly, so isn't the easiest to keep correct.
The last time my trimmer came out was in May. She couldn't make the next appointment but I was confident we were on top of things. I couldn't make the one after that, and for the last one she asked me to send photos and she gave me some pointers, but otherwise all OK. The pony had a full vet check for other reasons a few weeks ago and he asked me "when was he last done" and I had to say, well they are done almost weekly by me, and when questioned again, I said the last professional visit was May. The vet didn't really comment but looked surprised and the pony passed sound.
Recently, I asked a farrier, who shoes my friend's horse, if we could chat about him fitting in my pony at the same time, and he came yesterday. After looking at the pony feet for 5 minutes, he said that he wouldn't do it if I was also trimming, as he wouldn't be able to spot if anything was going wrong as he wouldn't be seeing the wear pattern in the hoof. He also said that if I told a vet, for example, that he was my farrier, that he then has a duty of care which would be compromised if I was "meddling".
I must admit, that I came away from that visit feeling rather uneasy. I can truly see his point that if I say he is my farrier, then he is judged by my pony's hooves, and therefore doesn't want any other interference. Is this a farrier thing? It also made me feel that perhaps it isn't something I should be doing at all. Was my old trimmer unusual in this aspect?
Ideally, I do think that little and often is best for a barefoot ridden horse. I equate it to these robot lawn mowers which take off millimetres each day and the lawn always looks mown, instead of a lawn that looks great just after a cut, then looks overgrown and in need of a cut a week later.
I really just want someone to regularly check all is OK, and would pay for someone to check but not actually need to do anything.
Is this a thing?
 
My horse doesn’t grow a lot of foot but both my current farrier and my previous one were happy for me to rasp myself between their visits and both gave me advice on what I should be doing. The previous one still came regularly for scheduled appointments but the current one is happy to just see him as and when I decide he needs it. He can grow a bit of an imbalance in his front feet so sometimes I prefer the farrier to do a professional job to sort that out as I don’t feel too confident doing it myself. I think if I did decide to do it and ask him to check he’d be happy to do so though.

A friend has just started with a new farrier who has told her she needs to be rasping once a week in between his visits to get the best results and again he’s given her advice on what to do.

I can think of some other farriers who might not like it though so maybe it just depends on the individual.

I can see his point about the vet but presumably if he guides you on what you’re doing and keeps the foot balanced at his visits there shouldn’t be a problem?
 
On reading your post again, did the farrier feel that your pony’s feet are okay at the moment or did you have the impression that he thought they needed some work? I’m just wondering if he has a different opinion to your trimmer on how they should be balanced and thinks if you rasp in between his visits to a way you’ve agreed with the trimmer that might be counterproductive? If he thinks the feet are okay though then I don’t really see a problem.
 
My farrier tried to encourage me to do bits myself but I don’t feel overly confident doing it even though one of mine doesn’t grow much hoof so would just be to neaten the edges.
She is a trained farrier but her interest is in barefoot.
 
It sounds like the farrier you spoke with was trying to protect himself legally. As he said, if you are ‘meddling’ and he is your official farrier too, if ever there was a serious foot issue, vet involvement too - the state of the feet ultimately comes down to him the professional.

I understand his perspective in a sense, as there are some dodgy barefoot trimming methods out there, and if he’s seen such content, he’d understandably be nervous of giving a ‘free pass’ to a newbie to trim feet he is responsible for.

However, most owners are too terrified to do anything wrong when starting trimming their own, and literally just tickle the rasp here and there, rather than get cutting with the knife, so he’s being somewhat paranoid.
Yet i do understand his perspective, that if your pony has some balance issues and he wants to assess growth anomalies, he cant do that assessment if you are doing small adjustments inbetween his visits.

It’s likely once he gets to know your horses feet, and has them growing well and even, he could be one of those farriers to then say its fine for you to trim the wall down inbetween visits. As you would be a new client, he wants full sole access to trimming to first get to know your horses feet.
 
I’m not quite sure what your farrier’s angle is.

It is possible, as said above, that he’s not in agreement with how you have been trimming the feet. Or he could just be being a protectionist arse.

Before my farrier went AWOL he was happy to come out every 12 weeks with me trimming in between times. He was very generous in his time showing me how to trim, and he even jokingly told me he’d take me on as his apprentice 😁.

Vet knew and was happy. I have been trimming them entirely myself for over two years now due to the farrier’s vanishing act, and while my vet doesn’t entirely approve of this she did say that I was doing a better job of the trimming than she would do.
 
HelenBack said:
On reading your post again, did the farrier feel that your pony’s feet are okay at the moment or did you have the impression that he thought they needed some work? I’m just wondering if he has a different opinion to your trimmer on how they should be balanced and thinks if you rasp in between his visits to a way you’ve agreed with the trimmer that might be counterproductive? If he thinks the feet are okay though then I don’t really see a problem.
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I think he thought they were "ok". He sort of said, "if it ain't broke then don't fix it". I am just very wary of something developing over time that I am not experienced enough to spot, so I want someone to keep an eye on it.
 
PurBee said:
It sounds like the farrier you spoke with was trying to protect himself legally. As he said, if you are ‘meddling’ and he is your official farrier too, if ever there was a serious foot issue, vet involvement too - the state of the feet ultimately comes down to him the professional.

I understand his perspective in a sense, as there are some dodgy barefoot trimming methods out there, and if he’s seen such content, he’d understandably be nervous of giving a ‘free pass’ to a newbie to trim feet he is responsible for.

However, most owners are too terrified to do anything wrong when starting trimming their own, and literally just tickle the rasp here and there, rather than get cutting with the knife, so he’s being somewhat paranoid.
Yet i do understand his perspective, that if your pony has some balance issues and he wants to assess growth anomalies, he cant do that assessment if you are doing small adjustments inbetween his visits.

It’s likely once he gets to know your horses feet, and has them growing well and even, he could be one of those farriers to then say its fine for you to trim the wall down inbetween visits. As you would be a new client, he wants full sole access to trimming to first get to know your horses feet.
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Yes, I think that is where he is coming from. A new client with unknown pony, he wants to get to know us. I am not sure whether he would be the sort to then let me do small adjustments in between visits or not. I will have to decide if I am happy to hang up my rasp and sit on my hands, and pay someone else £40 to do it!
I actually don't think I will go with him. His reply, when I first contacted him was "I'm a farrier that covers all aspects of hoof care ..... and a fully qualified in all aspects. Unlike trimmers. ....." which made me feel that he was not fully supportive of barefoot management. I just wasn't sure if his reaction was normal for farriers.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I’m not quite sure what your farrier’s angle is.

It is possible, as said above, that he’s not in agreement with how you have been trimming the feet. Or he could just be being a protectionist arse.

Before my farrier went AWOL he was happy to come out every 12 weeks with me trimming in between times. He was very generous in his time showing me how to trim, and he even jokingly told me he’d take me on as his apprentice 😁.

Vet knew and was happy. I have been trimming them entirely myself for over two years now due to the farrier’s vanishing act, and while my vet doesn’t entirely approve of this she did say that I was doing a better job of the trimming than she would do.
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I would be happy to pay a trimmer/farrier to come out every 12 weeks or so, and say everything looks fine and not do anything! It is just that reassurance that is needed.
 
paddy555 said:
probably a dumb question but can't you just get another trimmer.
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Do you mean don't go down the farrier route at all? If so, then yes. I just thought I would see if my friend's farrier would work for me first as it would be so useful if we could co-ordinate (there is just the two of us on the yard). I was just rather taken aback by his reaction and wondered if what I was thinking of was very unusual.
 
Tarragon said:
Do you mean don't go down the farrier route at all? If so, then yes. I just thought I would see if my friend's farrier would work for me first as it would be so useful if we could co-ordinate (there is just the two of us on the yard). I was just rather taken aback by his reaction and wondered if what I was thinking of was very unusual.
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I think his reaction was probably normal of many farriers. I think if you are happy trimming you would be happiest with a trimmer who on seeing you were doing a good job would be more amenable.

I think quite a few farriers on being asked to take on a new client but then told BWT I'm planning on doing most of t he work myself may well be unhappy and think "get on with it then"
I think in general they may be less amenable than trimmers and it may seem a strange concept to some.
 
Tarragon said:
Do you mean don't go down the farrier route at all? If so, then yes. I just thought I would see if my friend's farrier would work for me first as it would be so useful if we could co-ordinate (there is just the two of us on the yard). I was just rather taken aback by his reaction and wondered if what I was thinking of was very unusual.
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We have 6 farriers coming to my yard - of those I think half would be in each camp.

Mine has given me his farriery textbooks to read through, old rasps, shown me what to do as maintenance. I am starting to look at wear patterns with him to keep things ok. But he's said (as per up thread) that my rasping is so conservative as not to worry him that I would go too far.
 
Did you actually make it clear to him that you would regularly pay for his opinion? I think they generally are not free with their advice if you are not a regular customer.

My farrier looked at the hinds of my front shod ponies and I said oh I've been keeping them tidy, he said they don't look bad which is high praise 😂
 
tda said:
Did you actually make it clear to him that you would regularly pay for his opinion? I think they generally are not free with their advice if you are not a regular customer.

My farrier looked at the hinds of my front shod ponies and I said oh I've been keeping them tidy, he said they don't look bad which is high praise 😂
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I thought I did - though may have not been understood. It is probably a strange concept to pay someone to do nothing :)
 
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I've been doing mine for years without problems. However I'm a bit crocked at the moment so had to get the yard farrier to do them. I wasn't totally pleased with the results but needs must.
 
I’ve been doing my own for years. A friend who is a semi retired farrier says they are very good. He’s happy to check out any issues eg abscess or worry re laminitis. Might be different if he was just starting out rather than retiring.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I think I will give this farrier a miss and see if I can find a new local trimmer that can cope with an enthusiastic barefoot owner!
 
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My trimmer says I have to micro trim weekly to keep toes back and keep medial lateral balance. She does every 5th week.
I wouldnt DARE not do weekly between her visits. I get feedback on my efforts and instructions.

Over time, with guidance I have got braver in what I will trim. I have also done a two day trimming course. And a bit of extra semi supervised time trimming cadaver legs.

IMO an owner that can tidy up and do a bit of maintenance between trims, and is keen to learn is better than leaving any splits / cracks / growth untouched for 5 weeks.

A good professional should encourage light rasping in owners that are willing to do it, and willing to be very careful and fully understand less is more.
 
I've been doing one of mine for about a decade, can't think when he last saw a pro. He's rock crunching and has the best hoof health I think I've ever come across, so he's easy. I've trimmed my youngster for the last 3 yrs but she's tricky and metabolic and I have a pro now and then to check and correct anything (literally about 5 times in 3 yrs). My current foster I also do myself, but one of my previous fosters had a club foot and my trimmer came regularly to her. I'm very lucky to have an excellent trimmer who is happy to dot by as and when I need her.
If you are doing your own I'd highly recommend getting your own rasps rather than cast offs, it's so much easier when they are sharp. Also Cody James Dymond Back rasps are a game changer but they are fierce so you need to be pretty confident in what you are doing.
 
My vet knows I do all our horses hooves myself. He is very happy with them, as is the bodyworker. I do have one who has challenging hooves. I have had them x-rayed, and the results were very reassuring. The vey was happy for me to carry on, but I have had a remote consult with a barfeoot farrier about them as well, to make sure I am on the right lines. TBH though, every time I pick them up I cuss and swear and wish I was paying someone else to do them!
 
Landcruiser said:
I've been doing one of mine for about a decade, can't think when he last saw a pro. He's rock crunching and has the best hoof health I think I've ever come across, so he's easy. I've trimmed my youngster for the last 3 yrs but she's tricky and metabolic and I have a pro now and then to check and correct anything (literally about 5 times in 3 yrs). My current foster I also do myself, but one of my previous fosters had a club foot and my trimmer came regularly to her. I'm very lucky to have an excellent trimmer who is happy to dot by as and when I need her.
If you are doing your own I'd highly recommend getting your own rasps rather than cast offs, it's so much easier when they are sharp. Also Cody James Dymond Back rasps are a game changer but they are fierce so you need to be pretty confident in what you are doing.
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I’ve graduated to using a dymond back rasp now (birthday present) so much easier
 
I've gradually over a 25 year period gone from shoeing to barefoot to trims every 6 weeks to trims every 4 months to trims every 6 months to doing bits myself in between to now fully doing my own. I stopped discussing anything with farriers years ago and have heard way too many talk utter bilge about hooves. Got into too many heated debates with them. I do next to nothing with mine. I don't do back feet. Haven't for years. Hooves look absolutely fine and both my current horses are sound, rock crunching with consistent heel first landings.

Tried to attach pics but it says files too large....
 
I have done mine for years on and off. I use a farrier for times when I decide I would prefer shoes for a while. That is not since 2021 this time. My farrier is ace, taught me to pull shoes off and tidy up. Gave me a rasp. Gave me email consults for a while while I wasn't confident. Is happy to book me in if I want for a one off.

I just taught my boyfriend to trim too. It is hard work when the hooves are rock crunching! he has started using an angle grinder, with sandpaper sheets. Just takes a few minutes each horse once a week now. When all of my horses have been newly barefoot, the feet change so quickly, I would run a rasp pretty much daily. Once they are functioning well barefoot, it is just a quick tidy.

Current horse has done a one day event, hunter trial, a couple of hunt rides, BS jumping, dressage etc etc as well as regular hacking on all terrain. If a farrier got funny with me about that, they'd be gone!

That said, this summer, BH went away for some months as I was refurbing stables and fields with land drains, fencing etc. I was also away a lot. Their farrier saw him and I admit to being a little nervous.... The farrier (not my own) loved his feet and didn;t trim too much off either.

Both my farrier and the one that saw him this summer are older, experienced and confident in their own ability. I wonder if that is why they are so encouraging rather than dismissive? My vet has been nothing but encouraging too. With the red horse, the vet asked who did my trimming so he could recommend them LOL. Nope, just me.
 
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