Do you give your farrier a present for Christmas?

I do. Yes my farrier is well paid (He's one of the pricier ones in my area) but he's very patient and kind with my old arthritic mare and for my younger riding horse who likes to spin off shoes in the field, he's out to put back on with in 24 hours usually including a weekend when he wasn't working so she could go xc. He's always available for advice and goes the extra mile. I believe that deserves a thank you even though I pay well for his service.
 
rextherobber said:
I do get gifts for doing my job, but not from everyone, and it doesn't bother me if people don't, but obviously, it's nice when they do! I get more gifts from my older customers than from younger ones, maybe it was more common years ago?
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Perhaps. I do like buying presents for people, and I would probably buy everyone one unless I stopped myself so I have to draw a line somewhere :) that being said, if anyone had bought me some wine or chocolates for defending the skies above the UK over Christmas and New Year last year I wouldn't have said no and would be eternally grateful. Pretty sure I'm paid less than the farrier as well.

I think we tend to feel more compelled to buy people presents who do us a tangible service. Not against the idea, just would not have crossed my mind. I feel bad now!
 
I do if he visits near Xmas - I might not think about it if he comes at the beginning of December (I.e. No presents will have been bought by then). I give a nice box of Chocs or biscuits.
 
JennBags said:
I haven't done, but always feel guilty about not doing so. He does get lots of gifts, and I've discussed it with him in the past when he's shod my horse just before Christmas and I've realised I didn't get him something, but he knows I appreciate him.

SBTS, doesn't sound like your farrier is very nice, I'm intrigued as to which one he is. I wouldn't bother getting him something again either!
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I’ve probably done him a disservice. He’s shod my boy for 12 years and does a great job. He’s worked to keep him sound and now he my boy is older he’s a bit stiff and difficult to shoe on one leg in particular.

He’s also been ok when I’ve totally forgotten he’s coming or mistimed it. This year I got a message when I was in Poland for a wedding! I’d cocked up the timing thought he was coming in the morning at his usual time, arranged for friend to be there but forgot he was coming in the afternoon instead, so he arrived to a deserted locked up yard. I got him some Polish vodka for that mishap.

He’s just a little grumpy sometimes and I was a bit put out about the comment, he probably wasn’t thinking. I won’t be ditching him anytime soon though. :)
 
Mine gets free cuddles from the dog - all year round.

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My hubby gets given lots of things at Christmas, some make a cake, wines, whisky, chocolates, woolly hat. It's really lovely that his customers show their appreciation of his hard work. He has also been given a bed for his dog, a dog collar, all sorts.
 
I don't.

However, I'm a good client, and apparently one of the very few who routinely offers him a brew when he comes (that does surprise me). He usually drinks two cups of coffee when he's here, even though now he only does 2 x trims :), and his terriers have a good run around.

Dad always got lots of stuff for Christmas from patients (eye surgeon). My parents used to take all the bottles of Harveys Bristol Cream (a sickly sweet sherry) in after Christmas and exchange them for something more drinkable :o.
 
I would if he came near Christmas by I last saw him at the beginning of December so no. I do look after him all year though and agree, it’s amazing that so many don’t. He always gets a brew or two, with biscuits and I’m always ready for him with clean ponies. I know people that literally drag their ponies out of a muddy field as he drives through the gate and frequently change appointments or forget he’s coming!
 
No, ( although I did last year as he came the week before Xmas and it just seemed to be the right thing.) this year he came a couple of weeks before hand, I hadn’t bought anything for anyone by that stage.

As with Tiddlypom, mine gets coffee /tea and toast / croissants every time he comes. he’s usually at mine by 8.15. So always feel the need to make sure they’ve had breakfast ��
 
Mine gets the pleasure of my sparkling company for a couple of hours every 7 weeks, what more could anyone want? :lol: And coffee, and clean, mannerly (mostly) horses presented on time...

Ok ok if he happened to be visiting near Christmas I'd probably get him a pressie too.
 
I haven’t in the past, but did this year as he was due a couple of weeks ago. My farriers great, his not overly well off, but his fab with my ponies and a really genuine lovely bloke:

It was tricky tho as he doesn’t drink and doesn’t eat chocs. But we got there. He knows his appreciated, he gets cups of tea and Home made cakes when he visits. It’ll be a very sad day when/if he retires.
 
Yep, bottle of scotch and cider or lager for the apprentices. Strange, he came in December, I have hardly seen him all year! I think last year one of his underlings came for the December appointment so they had the lager/cider but no scotch. I wonder if it was a coincidence that he came!

I must say that I will alter any other appointment (not hospital!) to fit in with the farrier.
 
Never occurred to me tbh so no! I rarely physically see him and although we have a few nothing special needs so the relationship with both of them (have 2 who do different ones as the don’t like doing so many ponies in one day and gives us a plan B when one is busy and the shoe is off) is ‘normal’ professional. The Vets and Physio also don’t but the groom does.
 
well as school broke up late he would at least have got the flapjack from the school canteen that he is very attached to and gets every visit. I don't think he's ever been given a christmas present though, it's probably rare that it actually times itself close to Christmas.
 
I rarely see mine as he comes while Im at work but this year, like previous years, I left him a bottle of plonk with my money. He probably doesn't drink it but its the thought that counts....same as the contractors we use at work dropping off similar, doesn't cost the earth but its a "nice thought". Plus my farrier goes the extra mile so its more than worth the thought.
 
Thank you for this thread. I totally forgot about my b/f trimmer as mine are on livery atm as I'm between house purchases & she trimmed them at that yard (they are usually at home). However, this thread reminded me to send her a gift voucher, so thank you!
 
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