Equine studies in France

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Rollin

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I employ a stable jockey and an equine studies student.

One of our mares threw a shoe yesterday, not serious the farrier is coming on Thursday. Personally I have never had a horse lame after throwing a shoe.

My student told me that his college teach students to put back shoes which are thrown. I said that is so dangerous, what if you don't put the nails in correctly, to which he replied, we use the nails already in the shoe!!

My jockey used to work on a TB yard and said they would NEVER work a horse who had thrown a shoe, so DIY shoeing was OK.

It shocks me because one of our horses, half threw a shoe which had twisted and we needed t take it off. Another equine studies student told me he knew how to take a shoe off, but did not even know how to open up the clenchers.
 
Are you talking about the clamp down on Bare Foot Trimmers?

I know someone who shoes all his own horses, he did have some instruction from a farrier but nowhere near the training required for a farrier.

My young student does not seem to appreciate that the damage from a badly place nail far exceeds the horse being minus a shoe for a few days.
 
Rollin said:
Are you talking about the clamp down on Bare Foot Trimmers?
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Yes.

Actually I know a couple of people who trim their own (and only their own), and they do a better job than some farriers I've seen. But I wouldn't want anyone with only a few hours (or even less) tuition nailing shoes on!
 
Ronalda said:
What law is that?

There is no law on trimming as such unless it contravenes cruelty or welfare issues.
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Because so many horses in France are barefoot (I have no problem with that) and many folk employ barefoot trimmers, France changed its laws so that bare foot trimmers must have done some of the same basic training as a farrier.

My unshod horses are trimmed by my farrier, who also re-shoes if a shoe is thrown. As he comes to me every four weeks, it is not often a problem.
 
Casey76 said:
That's crazy considering the law on trimming feet!
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To my understanding this law would only apply if the person trimming is doing so as a business/for commercial purposes.

ETA: reading more about it, this law seems to only apply to veterinary and surgical intervention which should be performed by a vet but is authorized also to farriers (but not trimmers). That's quite specific then.

http://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2012/qSEQ121203762.html
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000023456319&categorieLien=id

" Art.L. 243-3.-Outre les soins de première urgence autres que ceux nécessités par les maladies contagieuses, qui peuvent être réalisés par toute personne, des actes de médecine ou de chirurgie des animaux peuvent être réalisés par :
« 1° Les maréchaux-ferrants pour le parage et les maladies du pied des équidés, et les pareurs bovins dans le cadre des opérations habituelles de parage du pied ; "
 
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Palindrome said:
To my understanding this law would only apply if the person trimming is doing so as a business/for commercial purposes.
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Yes it does. I'm quite happy to give mine a quick tidy up, but they still see a farrier every 5-8 weeks depending on how they look.

I just think it's a bit mad, if an equine studies student can just tack a shoe back on without going through farrier school (although, in theory anyone can really, as you can buy all of the farriery equipment in the tack shop/agri centre.)
 
I hope I dont get shot down in flames here, and agree with the OP, BUT, France has may riding holiday operators, what if a horse threw a shoe in say, the back of beyond, and there was no realistic chance of calling a Marechal ferrant,
I can see where your Student is coming from, Rollin, assuming he means new nails in an emergency situation, and the show was pulled clean off and not twisted.
One thing about living here, I have a full farriers kit, I do believe you are expected to be more proactive in many situations, although I would always try to find a marechal or leave the shoe off until I could.
Personally I wouldnt put a shoe back on.
 
Hi JC,

I discovered from a French friend that Le Trec riders are expected to carry all the kit and re-shoe the horse if a shoe is thrown at the back of beyond, just as you say.

However, with all things practice and experience matters. I am a qualified BHS ride leader and also have a French licence. As part of my training I had to be able to remove a shoe correctly. I did not actually have to do that for another two years!!

Not easy. A friend helped me and we did a good job but I could not have done it without an experienced friend to hold the horse and hand me the tools.

The farrier makes it look easy, he does it all day every day. I don't. Bit like my O/H in the kitchen!!! When my kids were small I said I was the fastest cook in the village, I had to be with a full time job.

I don't plan to whack on shoes. I will ask my two helpers if they practiced on dead horses first. Watch this space.
 
Thats true about Trec, the Team leader has some tools, you all carry your insurance and horse details with you too, and should have a headcollar under your bridle when out in the countryside.......however I diverse...
Good thread Rollin, your stories make me smile!
 
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