BE HONEST! If a Farrier is rough/shouts at your horse...

[EquestrianFairy]

Just interested really:

Ive come across my fair amount of farriers (and yet to find one that im 100% happy with)

There are some that ive felt are very good at shoeing but awful with the horses... some that are the opposite.

Now.. If your farrier is rough with your horse, jabs him, elbows him or shouts at him- be 100% honest... what are your reactions/would be your reactions?

Ive had it three times, twice the horse was simply getting bored and abit snatchy with his legs the third time a different horse was trying to kick.

I will be honest and say the horse kicking I never said anything (although she was kicking because they were being rough IMO)

The first rough farrier cut away my horses frog so much it made it bleed (I complained to his boss)

The final time was when a farrier elbowed and shouted at my horse- TBF the horse was bored and being abit naughty- although i dont think it was justified to the extent the farrier went to and again i never said anything.

Am i a wimp?

Your opinions/experiences?

 

[chancing]

tbh i have never come across a rough farrier..we use a fantastic guy - gorgeous too!! however in that situation I wouldnt be impressed..fair enough if the horse is being @rsey and arkward and discipline is needed however I wouldnt tolerate it being hit etc.

 

[EquestrianFairy]

-sorry! They were all different farriers!

 

[Eira]

Farrier regularly 'jabs' Sol with the rasp is she's being a pain in the arse .

He can do what he wants (within reason) afterall its his head near her feet !

FWIW - I trust the farrier 100% and wouldn't use him if he didnt think it was necessary to reprimand her !

 

[stencilface]

I don't mind my farrier shouting or giving them a bit of a push/elbow. Their have their livelihoods to look after, and if they hurt themselves they are pretty much out of a job. I wouldn't want one going OTT - but I expect my horse to stand still and behave.

Yes its different if they're young (or old) but generally they should stand up and be good, its only half an hour out of their lives after all - they have the rest of the day to do what they want to do...

 

[Tinkerbee]

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He can do what he wants (within reason) afterall its his head near her feet !

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This. Depends on the circumstances I guess, and would base my reaction on what I would do if I had my head down there, horses leg between mine and it was being an arse. Many a time I would put up with far less than Ive seen some farriers put up with

 

[JM07]

my Farrier has no need to be "rough" with my ponies as he is confident in knowing that they all have enough manners to stand up for him...so much so, that i don't even need to be there!!

 

[louisevictoria]

to be honest my mare is complete pain in the arse to shoe and like ISHY said it is his head near her feet so I don't mind too much (within reason).

I trust my farrier with both my horses (as he often does them when I am at work)

 

[Eira]

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He can do what he wants (within reason) afterall its his head near her feet !

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This. Depends on the circumstances I guess, and would base my reaction on what I would do if I had my head down there, horses leg between mine and it was being an arse. Many a time I would put up with far less than Ive seen some farriers put up with

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Ditto , I asked my farrier if he's ever refused to shoe something . And he said yes , ONE horse after it had killed a dog by maliciously stamping on it .

Sam is tolerant of alot ! If it was me I would have refused to shoe horses for alot less !

 

[Beccaeve]

My farrier isn't rough, he doesnt shout gets a bit snatchy sometimes but I have never seem him be rough tbf.
Hes bloody gorgeous too

 

[flyingfeet]

There is a line - years ago we had a farrier beat up a little 14.3hh arab and she was terrified (we weren't there)

However our farrier we've had for years is very level headed, he will give them a slap (usually with the flat of a rasp applied to the bottom) if they are misbehaving, but they generally deserve it (although he isn't the fastest farrier in the world, so they are bored!)

Frankly I don't know how he manages with one of mine as the b*gger puts all his weight on you when you do the back legs.

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

My farrier is lovely but he has my complete permission to elbow both of mine if they're playing up. They're both bloody big horses and I have no problem with him giving them a swift jab.
I will not tolerate anyone hitting either of mine in the face or with an implement but my farrier never has and i doubt would ever dream of it.

 

[somethingorother]

I would go mad at what some people put up with from their farriers. I dont mind a quiet telling off like 'oi stop it now!' but when they start screaming and shouting that's only going to make things worse for everyone, and i would never let a farrier hit a horse i was in charge of/owned.

Someone i knew had a great farrier who did a fantastic job. But my opinion of him changed when he whacked a horse on the stomach with a rasp for losing it balance as he had been doing a hind for a long time. That rasp would not have seen daylight if it had been my horse, yet the owner did not say a word. I had to walk away as i was struggling to hold my tongue.

I know it's a tough job, but they make things worse for themselves half the time.

 

[Fransurrey]

Whenever I've taken on a new farrier (remember, we employ THEM, not the other way round), I've made it clear that any unnecessary force will result in my boot connecting with their rear. Only once had a problem with a farrier who insisted on calling Henry a little sh*t and nudging him in the ribs. He was holding his legs like a 17hh horse (he's 12hh) and Henry was almost falling over, so was wobbling and fidgeting trying to get his balance. I repeatedly told the farrier what the problem was and I was ignored. He wasn't invited back. That's the nearest one has come to real violence. Any more and I'd carry out my threat.

I completely agree that horses should be taught by the owner to stand and behave - I've been on the receiving end of a pony that had no idea, thanks to numpty owners. I refused to trim his feet and told her why. She probably still has trouble, now, as he wasn't a youngster then. She just brought him out of the field every 14 weeks for a trim (I was asked to trim him as the previous farrier had refused to again, I later found out!). I was lucky to be alive that day, as he slammed a hoof down on the back of my head.

I could leave Henry to be shod alone, but I see it as my duty to be there. My farrier is lovely, but if something went wrong, I don't want to be an hour away!

 

[Sarahgema]

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I would go mad at what some people put up with from their farriers. I dont mind a quiet telling off like 'oi stop it now!' but when they start screaming and shouting that's only going to make things worse for everyone, and i would never let a farrier hit a horse i was in charge of/owned.

Someone i knew had a great farrier who did a fantastic job. But my opinion of him changed when he whacked a horse on the stomach with a rasp for losing it balance as he had been doing a hind for a long time. That rasp would not have seen daylight if it had been my horse, yet the owner did not say a word. I had to walk away as i was struggling to hold my tongue.

I know it's a tough job, but they make things worse for themselves half the time.

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Ditto above!

 

[JessPickle]

The farrier our yard uses is good, doesn't take any rubbish but isn't rough. He'll just give a horse a couple of minutes and come back to it if it gets fidgety, if it continues it will get a small slap, normally thats all thats needed. I have never faced him having to get angry with pickle though, as pickle is always incredibly well behaved. Standing still is his talent!

 

[Super_Kat]

Olympic managed to get himself banned from the forge at college because he seemed to think that kiling the apprentices was a sport

so I'm pretty easygoing when it comes to him but I wouldn't tolerate a farrier going OTT but if any of my horses get a smack they generally deserve it!

 

[fatpiggy]

My last farrier, in front of me, slapped my horse across the muzzle. Her crime? She put her nose on his back and rested it there for a moment. She was so shocked and looked confused and worried. She has never been anything other than perfect for a farrier, just dozes quietly - you don't even have to tie her up. These days she is barefoot as she has arthritis and can barely bend her knees, plus the concussion of road work with shoes on was making her sore. Now she is retired and I rasp her feet around every weekend. She finds it very hard even just keeping her foot up on the tripod, so I allow her to put her foot back down as soon as she asks to. No way would a farrier let her do that and I don't want anyone getting angry with her when she can't help it. It takes me 4 or 5 goes on each front foot to get enough off, or cracks out but this is the 4th year I've been doing it now and she seems fine with it.

 

[EquestrianFairy]

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He can do what he wants (within reason) afterall its his head near her feet !

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This. Depends on the circumstances I guess, and would base my reaction on what I would do if I had my head down there, horses leg between mine and it was being an arse. Many a time I would put up with far less than Ive seen some farriers put up with

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Ditto , I asked my farrier if he's ever refused to shoe something . And he said yes , ONE horse after it had killed a dog by maliciously stamping on it .

Sam is tolerant of alot ! If it was me I would have refused to shoe horses for alot less !

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Sam is the only farrier i rate!

Unfort they wont travel as far as the new yard

 

[222262]

I couldn't imagine having a farrier like that, ours have both been wonderful. The one we use now is a family friend and understands that horses aren't all so well behaved.
Our old farrier was a guy my daughter was seeing and he was ace- I think he is the only man my daughter's horse has actually got on with.

 

[Cazzah]

Mine is brill!! When I first got my TB he was VERY grumpy and had a kick out, the farrier shouted no and gave him a nudge in the ribs. He was completely shocked and has been absolutely fantastic with him ever since. I will literally just stand in the yard when he's being shod with the leadrope loose. Baz doesn't like most people in life but he actually whinnies when the farrier comes.

I think that a bit of a telling off when justified is just what some horses need...that said, I'd never, ever stand for anyone hitting my horse for no good reason.

 

[Nailed]

Sorry but when youve got half a ton of horse leaning its weight on you, then kicking out and jumping around.. once in a while you loose your rag.. Until youve experienced it you wont understand...

If my farrier bollocked ted and he was misbehaving then fair enough...

If he bollocked him because hes in a bad mood then Id have words.. but this is never gunna happen,

And im sorry fatpiggy but i think youll find that most farriers will let horses put the foot to the floor, and i think youll find tha most farriers will not use a tripod on a horse that is too stiff...

Lou x

 

[MontyandZoom]

My farrier is wonderful with mine. Monty can be horrid to shoe but my farrier understands that flapping and shouting makes it worse so is calm and assertive and never raises his voice or smacks him. He's much improved due to my farrier's attitude. Little mare on the other hand is just an impatient fidget bum and he has on occassion smacked her on the arse or given her a nudge but always well deserved. TBH I would do the same with her if she was being silly to tack up etc so it doesn't bother me. I have seen some farriers beating horses over the head etc and obviously that is unacceptable. People at my yard hang on to farriers that do that since they are 'great farriers'. IMO that is a complete contradiction since a 'great farrier' in my eyes would never behave like that.

 

[Natch]

I don't mind them giving a nudge or smack if horse is genuinely playing up, if it works with that horse and doesn't make them worse - I do mind if the horse is simply tired or losing their balance, or if the force is excessive IMO.

 

[Eira]

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He can do what he wants (within reason) afterall its his head near her feet !

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This. Depends on the circumstances I guess, and would base my reaction on what I would do if I had my head down there, horses leg between mine and it was being an arse. Many a time I would put up with far less than Ive seen some farriers put up with

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto , I asked my farrier if he's ever refused to shoe something . And he said yes , ONE horse after it had killed a dog by maliciously stamping on it .

Sam is tolerant of alot ! If it was me I would have refused to shoe horses for alot less !

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam is the only farrier i rate!

Unfort they wont travel as far as the new yard

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Oh I love Sam

Sol injured Julian the other day , so yes she got a wallop

He is at our yard every week (shoes 20 of ours !)

What farriers have you used ? PM me if you want so I don't hijack your thread

 

[BBH]

I have to be honest in that my farrier is great with my three but then they all behave with him, even my two year old.

If I had a farrier that was rough or shouted unnecessarily I would change to another, having said that if a reprimand was warranted I would have no problems.

 

[Rana]

My current farrier gives my horse a nudge with his elbow if she's being a bit fidgety. He has a policy that if a horse is being really naughty, he will ask the owner to give it a slap (he insists owners, or someone associated with the horse is present during shoeing).

I wouldn't tolerate anything else.

A previous farrier was extremely rough with my horse. He had just nailed on a hind shoe, and hadn't yet clenched it. My mare is very stiff behind, and pulled her leg away. The clenches tore a hole in his new chaps. He lost his temper with her, and hit her across the back with a rasp 3 times, and his hammer twice. Straight across her spine. She still has the scars.

I kept quiet while he finished off (it was the last shoe and I didn't want her being left with the clenches the way they were), then let rip at him and told him in no uncertain terms that he would never shoe my horses again. With hindsight, I should have reported him, as I've heard similar stories about him doing this to other horses, and some horror stories about a livery yard he's associated with.

 

[SirenaXVI]

Must admit, my farrier is never rough with my horses, the only time he shouted was when a new horse actually kicked him, and tbh I don't blame him, that is unacceptable behaviour. He did say that that was the first horse of mine that had ever kicked him. He does not have to be rough because he knows that my horses behave and I will tell them off myself if they don't.

I feel for farriers, it is their head that is down by the hoof, their livelihood that can be ruined and if an owner cannot make sure that a horse is going to behave then they are between a rock and a hard place tbh.

Having said that, I would not be impressed with a farrier who was rough for no reason - however, I have never ever met one of these elusive beasts.

 

[rara007]

I would be furious if they were rough with any of the boys- But then all of them are perfect for the farrier, except Bob who is very nervous, probably due to previous carriers getting after him when his back was in such a state he physically could star with his back feet up. ( Think pony sitting on the floor shaking when the farrier comes) I really don't see a reason why a farrier would have to be rough with any of ours, They are all old enough to know their manners, and when they are told to stand up they stand like rocks. I stand at their heads anyway (Not to chat to young fit farrier

) and if they were to fidget i'd remind them to stand up, if they were real pigs they get a shoulder slap and they'd get a tap on the nose for nibbling. I am honestly quite surprised at how badly mannered your horses sound for the farrier. Horses are different to ponies I know but one of their first lessons as a baby should be to stand still.

It is different with big stupid horses- Dads 18hh hunter used to be a git as were most of his big horses and the issue of safety was big so they got a good few wallops.

 

[Stoxx]

When I first got my horse he was very dubious of the farrier and generally was a real fidget. However he was not malious towards them in anyway. I wasn't able to be there once and they beat him with tools for being a fidget. After that he wouldn't let a farrier near him, he spent the whole time on his hindlegs.
The farrier then spread the word around that my horse was 'dangerous' and there wasn't a farrier in the area that would touch him. My dad then paid an older farrier three times what he charged to do him, which he did, albeit slowly. It took years to rebuild his confidence.
For this reason I am very picky with farriers, but the one I have now (has been doing mine for 6 years) is very good. He will growl at Osc if he is being a pain, which is perfectly fine, my horse isn't an angel. I trust him never to go further than that though.

So in answer to your question, I think I would be fine if they gave them a dig with their elbow or growled if they were being naughty. Nothing more.