Dumping a farrier - what's the kindest way??

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Morgan123

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How do you go about dumping farriers in a nice way?

It's a long story with mine that I won't go into but basically, although I like him as a person, I just don't think he's as good as others in the area and have heard some very bad feedback from notable vets and things - so it's time for me to move on, but he's so SWEET. how to get rid when he's never done anything bad with my horse's feet?! And also he'll still be at the yard for two other horses so i'll still see him....


It's not you it's me? Things have changed, I'm not who I used to be anymore? I just don't feel the same? I got a better offer from my ex? You've been replaced? I just don't know!!!
:-D
 
Just book another one next time instead. Ur a client and entitled to use whoever u want to. Personally if I was happy with him and his work I wouldn't bother changing off the back of gossip but i've struggled to find a great farrier before the one I have now.
 
sell up and move house?
quit horses? :D

I suppose its the tell him straight you dont want to use him anymore, or the avoidance tactic, whatever you feel you need to do :(
 
I'd not change farrier off the back of gossip, you say yourself above he's not done anything bad with your horses feet, therefore your farrier deserves honesty and to his face.
Treat others how you would expext to be treated etc.
 
Fabulous thread, i love the its not you, its me bit! but seriously if he is a nice guy and good farrier that you have been with a while whats to say the other one wont up and move house or suddenly becomes the farrier from hell either not turning up or turning up late etc. Maybe you should just rethink and stick to your 'nice'farrier who is really sweet. only saying this because..... no I cant say it.... no of course I havent been thinking of changing farrier from the one I have had for the last 10 years and just didnt know how to tell him :D:D:D
 
Well... When i told my farrier it didnt go so smoothly, the other girl on the yard that used him she ran to him and told him before i could, so had him on the phone harrassing me saying shed said this and that and ended up to the point where my dad had to go on the phone to him and tell him where to go. So make sure its YOU that speaks to him and just let him know you wont be using him anymore, theres no point in lying, no point in just ignoring him because it wont make you the better person. I know its difficult but be brave!
 
Just tell him you are changing to someone else and you are letting him know out of courtesy. You needn't give a reason or just as you suggest say you feel it's time for a change.

The worst thing you could do is book another farrier and not tell your current one - that really is a big no no.
He shouldn't be offended. Stay friendly when you see him on the yard - life is too short for grudges and I doubt he will bare one. Farriers good and bad have their different styles and you are not saying he's bad :)
 
If your farrier has done a good job on your horse why sack him ? , if you are worried about the job he does on your horse ask an independant advisor for an opinion on your horses hooves. Then once you have done this then make up your mind wether you want him to shoe your horse or not.
 
Why not have a chat with him and tell him the worries you have following all the things you have heard about him? Give him a chance to defend himself ... He may thank you for it and make a special effort on your horses feet.
Failing that, tell him you are moving abroad, dye your horse a different colour and don't go to the yard when he is there :D
 
What did the vet say the problem was with the farrier? Was it that YOUR horses feet had suffered as a result of his shoeing?If so then change immediately (if you agree with the vet), if it was someone elses horse and you are happy with the service your farrier is giving and you are happy with your horses feet, then I see no reason to change. If you do decide to change then I would ring him and tell him you are using someone else, he is likely to find out soon enough anyway as farriers do seem to keep in touch with each other.
 
I knew everobe would say that but can you just trust me on this, I have given him the benefit of the doubt by not listening to gossip for a long time and need to change after lots of deliberation and hearing some important info from important people (I'm not gunna say any more than that on here cos it's not fair to anyone involved). But it's not just gossip, the gossip was fine and I ignored that for years! I was wondering how to get rid in a sensitive way rather than whether I should!
 
My OH is a farrier so I read this thread with interest. The Farriers Registration Council have guidance but basically you have a professional relationship with him and you should let him know and not at the last minute. BTW not all vets or general lay opinions are to be trusted. Lots of vets criticise the work of farriers in their absence hence no defence for the farrier, and that is a breach of professional etiquette. Most horse owners though full of opinions are not qualified or capable of properly assessing farriery. There are good and bad farriers of course and at the end of the day you will have to do what is right for you.
 
I'm one of those who doesn't get it. You've said he hasn't done anything bad with your horse's feet and he's a nice bloke. Most horse owners would love a farrier like that. :) I'd stick with him if your horse is doing fine!
 
YasandCrystal said:
Just tell him you are changing to someone else and you are letting him know out of courtesy. You needn't give a reason or just as you suggest say you feel it's time for a change.

The worst thing you could do is book another farrier and not tell your current one - that really is a big no no.
He shouldn't be offended. Stay friendly when you see him on the yard - life is too short for grudges and I doubt he will bare one. Farriers good and bad have their different styles and you are not saying he's bad :)
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Excellent advice.
Most farriers have plenty of work,so losing the odd client is often well recieved.If you do not tell him he WILL be annoyed because he will be keeping a place for you on his books. If your farrier does live up to his apparent reputation,then he will start losing more clients and will hopefully take action. There are plenty of CPD opportunities for farriers.
If you are still feeling chicken,why not try barefoot for a while? Its a good excuse. It will help your horses feet to be without shoes for a while..........and you never know,your horse might perform better without shoes.:cool:
 
I changed farrier about six months ago. I really liked my farrier, but he moved and was about 45 to 50 minutes away. I always had this dread that my horse would get an abscess or something and I would feel awful ringing him up to come over just for that.

I found another lovely farrier who lives just down the road and asked him if he would be willing to take me on. He said yes and agreed that I had to speak to the old one first.

I worried and worried about it. I thought about just not booking the next appointment and things like that but knew I had to speak to him face to face.

I was really nervous, but explained that I thought he was lovely and had no problems with his work but he just lived too far away. He understood (at least I think he did) and was very nice about it. He said that if I ever needed him to just ring him up.

I am just sooooo glad I did it all properly. So, if you do go ahead and change - please do it nicely - you will be glad you did.
 
Quite a few reasons for dumping my last farrier, but being as my old one didn't seem interested anyway, I just didn't rebook him, just like people don't use me again for my work if they don't want to, business is business.
 
if your happy with the way he shoes your horse I wouldn't change. Good farriers that you trust, that arrive on time and don't cancel at the last minute are gold dust believe me!! I had the same farrier for 12 years and then relocated it took me a long time to find a new farrier I liked and trusted. Its the same with vets. I think my vet is brilliant others don't and the vet my friend has I wouldn't ever let see my horse. You should go with what you are personally happy with.
 
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