Despair

mickey

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 November 2005
Messages
5,169
Location
Kent
Visit site
OK, I arrived at yard almost 5 yrs ago. All the horses had a farrier who is not my choice at all, did my horse's feet some yrs ago and cocked them up big time after a handful of shoeings.
frown.gif


So, another livery is also told the said farrier is rubbish and she gets another one in with a good reputation. I put my horse in this farrier's care. After a few yrs that livery has lame horses and she attributes some of it to the shoeing and finds a new remedial farrier.

I ask this farrier what he thinks of my horse's feet and he pulls them apart. I ask if he would take my horse on and he said he is too busy but recommends an old apprentice of his.

This apprentice turns out to be very enthusiastic to start with. He has done his feet a few times and this time they are really quite long and totally on the heels (the yo and vet have commented too). I really don't know what to do now. He seems to have got a hissy on because I asked him over text how much re-fits were - I think he thought I was accusing him of charging me the same for re-fits and thus ripping me off. Re-fits are the same and he has re-fitted the front shoes twice now.

I don't know wot to do! There is another farrier on the yard but I really don't want to keep moving. I am putting so much effort into schooling tho and I want to dressage in the spring, so the last thing I want is a shoeing related problem

Since I asked about the price of re-fits the farrier has been really moody when he turns up......s'pose I should speak to him about the collapsed heels but I have a feeling he will go ape!

Anyone else had such issues with farriers, any advice welcomed!

The other thing is I s'pose it could be partly due to the previous farrier's work, but it is getting worse tho.
 
I notice you are in Kent, have you tried Matt Wallis? I have used him for years, 3 vets have commented on what good feet my horse has (they were crap with previous farrier) he is friendly, reliable and average price.
 
I have never heard of Matt Wallis? We are in Canterbury, are you in this area?
Great that you have found a good farrier tho - they seem to be hard to find around here - I have had continuous issues with this!
 
Problems with farriers are a nightmare. Do you have an equine hospital near you with their own farrier to which the vet can refer you? I know it's a hassle to box up and take horses to be shod but at least it would give you peace of mind and you'd know that it was being done right.
 
Hi claud - I have no transport at present and there is nothing nearby so that's a good suggestion but a no-go for me..
frown.gif


SallySmith original farrier's work was slated by the remedial farrier who is very well thought of.....So I don't think that is really an option.......Nightmare!
 
[ QUOTE ]
SallySmith original farrier's work was slated by the remedial farrier who is very well thought of

[/ QUOTE ] But were you happy yourself with the original farrier's work? TBH, there are one or two farriers around who will slate everybody else's work, whatever it is like!
 
No foot, no horse... as they say. I happen to agree wholeheartedly (supposedly "reputable" farrier ruined my horse's feet with bad trimming and not listening to what I needed him to do, whereas my current farrier always listens and takes very great care over her feet to help keep her sound) and as far as I am concerned, they are supposed to be providing you, the customer, with a service. If you cannot gently persuade your current farrier to change his ways (try the innocent amateur owner tactic... "are his heels supposed to look so low?" rather than "my horse has collapsed heels (you numpty)" !!) then don't be afraid to look elsewhere. Feet are very precious.
 
Go with the farrier you are happy with. All horses feet are different and not everyone is going to be happy with the same farrier. My farrier is fantastic - but I still hear about the odd person who doesn't like him for whatever reason.

Just be aware farriers are a close knit community, and if you are constantly changing or peeing them off it will get round that you are a "difficult" client and then farriers will either avoid you or just not treat you as well. I'm not saying you have or are doing this, but chinses whispers and all that !!

Hope you sort something out soon
 
Ah....that's one thing I just don;t miss being barefoot and doing my own trimming. Honestly - not being smart or clever or anything - it is great not to be dependant on the farrier who makes you wait 4 hours, and may not turn up at all. And then you lose a shoe and can't go on that day out.

Lizziebell is right
 
Top