Farrier hitting horse

badgerdog

badgerdog

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 February 2008
Messages
1,188
Location
Northumberland
Visit site
I'm in a bit of state because I lost my temper with my farrier yesterday for hitting my horse. Horse was standing still but was leaning when his back legs were being handled. Farrier kept hitting him in the belly for doing this. He then kicked him in the belly. Horse was so scared that everytime farrier went near him he tried to get away because he thought he was going to be hit. Farrier then managed to pick up back leg and horse lashed out and kicked him in the ribs. Farrier was furious and tried to attack my horse again but I couldn't take anymore so I told him I didn't want him to hit my horse anymore and I took him away from him.
I don't mind my horse being told off but I think he went over the top.
Am I being over sensitive? I'm really upset about the whole incident. My horse is only 5 and I don't think he deserves this kind of treatment.
Needless to say I'm now looking for a new farrier.
frown.gif
 
You did the right thing and I would have done the same. The odd bump to the horse if it is being naughty would be justified but not persistant hitting.

I hope you find another farrier.
 
poor little chap! there is no need for a farrier to hit your horse! the odd elbow usually surfices as a reminder to hold their own weight!!

Is he registered, id be inclined to ring farrier register!! Good luck in finding a new one though, good farrier come few and far between, when you find a good one they are worth holding onto as nowadays they seem like gold dust
 
I have in the past removed a farrier from my horse for repeatedly punching him in the ribs, unnecessarily particularly as it was a baby horse. You totally did the right thing, realistically most farriers are going to smack for bad behaviour but for me I need one I can trust when I'm not there.
 
this also happened to my two yearlings when they were still liveried with their breeder. It was wholly unacceptable to me for a farrier to hit them, particularly as they were young and needed kind and thoughtful education. I moved them to their current stud and fortunately the farrier is brilliant with all ages. Patience is essential in my view and I am willing to pay extra for their time in order to give the youngsters a good experience.

Do you know of any farriers out of your area who have a good reputation who could maybe recommend someone in your area? Or contact a local stud to see if they can recommend someone, if they are good with babies they should be good with older ones too. Good luck
smile.gif
 
Thankyou for your support. I feel terrible about the whole incident and what makes it worse is that the YO doesn't thinks the farrier did anything wrong!
I know in my heart I did the right thing. I felt subject to a violent situation and it has been making me feel ill.
 
That farrier is really out of order hitting your horse, we had a farrier do that to one of ours once, we never had him back. The last thing you want is your horse to end up with issues over being shod.
 
you deffinately made the right choice.
i just hope that your poor horse (and you) are able to get over this and both be able to trust other people.
 
You definitely did the right thing!

I don't know who these farriers think they are????? Would you let them hit your child?

Well done for speaking up.
 
Totally agree- He should not have done that- I would even go one step further and report him - there maybe people out there having this happen to their horses without their knowledge if he is left unsupervised- so sorry you have had to go through this x
 
No farrier has EVER hit any of my horses. I have always told any new farriers that this is something that they will never do, and they have all accepted that this is the way it is. If my horses were ever to misbehave then I will be the one to reprimand them, not the farrier.

Had I been you, the moment I saw him about to raise a hand to my horse, would have been the moment I would have told him never to even think of hitting my horse. Had he actually gone and struck my horse, then I would have asked him to leave my premises that instant.
 
You are totally right, especially the kicking in the belly bit, horrifying - totally reprehensible behaviour - good for you not to be intimidated
 
My mare was rather adept at leaning whilst being shod. The farrier just used to tell her to 'give up hoss' and elbow her in the belly... but not viciously. She got the message.

When he retired, new farrier hit her in the ribs with the flat of his hammer for leaning. He never shod her again! Kicking is totally out of order, crikey I know farriers are in short supply butI do hink that some think they are gods. I would report him, kicking is inexscusable.
 
Our farrier has been endlessly patient with our youngster, who tries it on every time. He is firm but fair, and will slap him if he tries to bite. If he ever kicked him, he'd be out. Yes, horses need to learn to behave, and they are large and powerful, but your horse sounds as if it was being unnecessarily bullied. You absolutely did the right thing - good for you! I doubt there are many farriers out there who would behave like this.
 
IMHO you did absolutely the correct thing. I may even have stepped in a little sooner - probably around the time he raised a foot to aim a kick at the horse's belly.
mad.gif


What shamefully disgusting behaviour. And condoned by your YO indeed?! Equally shocking. Definitely find yourself a new farrier (if you can, of course). It would not matter to me even if the farrier apologises and makes the excuse he was having an 'off day'.

I hope your horse is a forgiving soul and gets over the shock soon. Hopefully he'll be okay again with a bit of gentle handling.

If he's registered - DO call/write to complain about his conduct. It is only fair that someone is made aware of his behaviour. Other of his clients may be intimidated by him and it would be dreadful if he is permitted to carry on in this manner unchecked.

 
you did the right thing. an old farrier of mine did the same to my mare when she was only 4. She lashed out at him when he grabbed her leg and she had a splint healing. He lashed out at her kicking her in her belly/udder. i went mad, took her away, my friend had to restrain her hubby from beating him up.
I found out shortly after that he was well known for doing it to horses plus he had already been banned from shoeing previously.

Ive never heard anyone mention him since that, dont think hes shoeing anymore - thank god
 
you did the right thing
my farrier gives tab a slap when shes naughty but if he did anything i didnt agree with i would tell him and if he ever kicked her id bloody kick him in the b****ks!
we had a farrier once at an old yard who was shoeing a horse that just shifted his weight and he kicked it in the ribs!! i was advise to use him as tabs was naughty and i think u know what my answer was
 
definately did the right thing - I am lucky to have a very paitent farrier who understands that my youngster just needs time and that the older one just cant hold his legs up for long due to pain.

If a farrier ever tried to kick mine I would have to be restrained i think. A small slap for being totally cheeky is understandable but no more than that.

I would report him and good luck in finding a new one...
 
Quite unacceptable.

Find a new yard, get a new farrier and then write a letter of complaint to the Farriers Registration Council who are based in Peterborough about the behaviour of the farrier. They take incidenst of this kind very seriously.
 
An instructor once booted my 3 year old in the guts because he stepped sideways when he tried to get on him
shocked.gif


Needless to say I didn't bother booking him again...
 
QR - Report him to the Farrier Registration Council.......

I had a farrier down here that was in a foul mood one day and took it out on my horses, he's never shod them again, in fact his name around here is mud and he is loosing clients left right and centre!
 
You definately did the right thing. Thats awful!

I have told my farrier to give Bear a ''telling off'' if he's naughty cos He know's he can get away with murder with me. Farrier has only tapped him a couple of times on the bum in 2 years. Bear know's when he's pushing his limits with him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top