Farrier/hoof questioning!

poiuytrewq

poiuytrewq

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I have a few questions, I feel like I'm not happy in a way with my new farrier but I'm also very happy in others so don't wish to rock the boat at this point incase its a me problem.

I'll start by saying this guy is lovely, I've got tiny ponies and they can't hold their legs really high for prolonged periods of time (one is nearing 40) I could see the old guy subtly give a bit of a yank when he thought I wasnt looking etc. This one is kind, takes his time and keeps their feet low. The old pony seems fine I have no issues with her.
My pony gets flare on the inside but actually grows little foot. Old farrier used to just level him up and rarely even used nippers on him. His feet looked normal, he was done a tiny amount on a regular basis. I notice he, firstly last time was over trimmed but that can be a learning process with new horses/farriers so although not great I'd be happy to say "he was sore last time can you just go easy on the trimming!" but they also still look out of balance. I also notice the frogs are not facing directly to his toe, instead of being 6 oclock they are slightly out. He doesnt rasp after trimming and he doesnt trim anything off the frog. Although he has said that he trims for functionality not to look pretty so maybe thats me wanting them to look perfect. His heels look to be gettng too high, or higher then they were.

Shod horse (new one who was difficult) He has put really calm quiet time and patience into her. I dont know her well enough to say wether her feet have changed but they seem ok and she has held shoes *touch wood. My vet did say her toes were too long when she saw her but, she was over due. I had cancelled her appointment as she had been slightly lame and I didnt want her being pulled around so wasn't too worried by that comment at the time.

Retired horse- Has just had trims until last time when on ver advice he has a set of fronts. I *think he also has changed shape- But had been barefoot for a year, bar a stint when I re-tried him in work. Old farrier says he needs side clips, new gave toe. I feel like he is slightly flared to the inside making him look a little pidgeon toed- He has a tendancy to this but previously when he was due rather than just been shod.
His heels look deep. I noticed the next day after shoes on that the off fore only had one nail on the inside and near had 2- both 3 on the outer. The near fore has just come off (he was wearing OR boots but not great ones ) In all the years I've had him he has never lost a shoe.

I'm just a little bit worried I'm not sure *some of these are just not what I'm used too having had the same farrier for a long long time. Which of the above is maybe ok, which is not. How can I address this.
 
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I'd start keeping a photo record now, if you don't already. Have you got any photos you can post now? Aside from his being good with them, the changes you describe don't sound very positive :confused: If he's amenable to discussion it would be worth having a word but the thing is I don't think many farriers do a bad job deliberately, so you might just need someone who is better at reading feet.
 
I'm having a similar issue. My old farrier retired and the new one is lovely with the ponies and great in almost every aspect, except that I'm not sure about the quality of his work. I did mean to post a photo last time he came, but to me he's leaving the heels too long and longer one side than the other. It doesn't help that I had awful trouble even finding a new farrier as most don't want to do Shetlands.

It's a dilemma, but I think I'll stick with him for the winter and then reassess in the Spring.
 
No no photos sadly but I am intending to take some.
My mare today pulled her front shoe too whilst hand grazing on the verges!
She is due next week, 5 weeks on Wednesday and she did step forward and step on it 🤦‍♀️
 
A few of the things you have said - like not rasping and only one nail on one side of a shoe do ring alarm bells. I’d maybe try asking him why to both of these things. I appreciate many ferries do not like being questioned but I’m lucky that mine likes me to ask questions although this is a rarity I know from past experience. As for the toe clip thing if you notice a major difference I’d be insisting I want side clips - I’ve done this before and the farrier has listened and horse has improved. If nothing changes I’d be looking for another farrier though I’m afraid.
 
The one nail was obviously a mistake (imo!) it wasn’t even in all that well. I can imagine absolutely no reason for that other than a mistake.

I messaged yesterday morning, it was read straight away but no reply as yet.
Just asking if there was any chance of a visit before my booked Wednesday afternoon as that’s 6 days with out a shoe for both .
 
Personally I'd be considering getting an EP (Equine Podiatrist) to do the barefoot ones you have; meanwhile if you are reasonably happy with the new farrier continue with them for a while, however if over time the quality of your shod horse's foot declines or if you are really not happy, then look for another farrier?
 
Have you considered doing the tiny ponies hooves yourself? Lots of us trim our own very successfully, and since you are clearly able to look at a hoof and see possible issues it might be worth pursuing this and having a go. Light rasping every few days is far better in every way than a big trim every 6-8 weeks, and the more you do, the more familiar you get with how the hooves grow and change.
 
Landcruiser said:
Have you considered doing the tiny ponies hooves yourself? Lots of us trim our own very successfully, and since you are clearly able to look at a hoof and see possible issues it might be worth pursuing this and having a go. Light rasping every few days is far better in every way than a big trim every 6-8 weeks, and the more you do, the more familiar you get with how the hooves grow and change.
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Yes I have. I did look into it a while ago but I really wanted this particular farrier and he comes a long way so I thought it more worth his time doing them all.
 
@Landcruiser i just re-read your post. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I’d honestly thought I was being a bit thick because I wasn’t confident enough to say I’m not happy about this, or this had changed and I want to know why.
So I really appreciate your spin on it actually. Yes I can clearly see what I’d like to change/revert back too and what is starting to change that I don’t like on their feet. I’m not totally sure how I’d go about it but maybe it’s something I’d seriously look into. Like you say little and often would be way better for them both as neither likes big change and neither grows a lot of hoof
Thank you for your comment!
 
poiuytrewq said:
@Landcruiser i just re-read your post. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I’d honestly thought I was being a bit thick because I wasn’t confident enough to say I’m not happy about this, or this had changed and I want to know why.
So I really appreciate your spin on it actually. Yes I can clearly see what I’d like to change/revert back too and what is starting to change that I don’t like on their feet. I’m not totally sure how I’d go about it but maybe it’s something I’d seriously look into. Like you say little and often would be way better for them both as neither likes big change and neither grows a lot of hoof
Thank you for your comment!
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maybe you could pose it as you trying to learn more? “sorry can i just pick your brains, im trying to learn a bit more about it all…can you explain why you do x y z?”
 
IME it’s not worth questioning a farrier’s substandard work. You won’t win.

Either they know they’ve done a crap job and can’t be arsed to correct it, or they think they’ve done a grand job because they are clueless.

Certainly learn to trim the ponies yourself, little and often, and you’ll likely do a better job than any so called equine podiatrist - they are just hype who can talk the talk.

For the shod horses you will need a new farrier.
 
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