farrier price increase

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Ibblebibble

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last year my farrier stayed at the same price until july, then it went up by £2 per trim and stayed that price until August this year when it went up by another £2, just had him out again and it's crept up by another 75p:rolleyes: Now i know these aren't big increases but in these lean times every little bit counts and because OH has heard that a couple of my friends farriers charge £5 less per trim he's starting to mutter about me changing farrier:rolleyes:
so I'm just interested to know how often and by how much has your farrier bill increased over the last year or so:)

I really don't want to change farrier but when the price creeps up every other visit i do wonder how high it's going to go:eek:
 
My farrier has been £50 for aslong as I have known him. He has been so rushed off his feet though that another farrier suggested that he put his prices up as he will then lose the cheap skates. He has put it up by £5 and will go up but another £5 in feb. This is fine with me as the only other farrier I would use is £75 a set.
 
I can understand that its frustrating when you've heard that other farriers are cheaper, but I can also totally understand that farriers may have to start charging more due to increasing fuel prices, etc. Our farriers prices have not gone up at all over the past 4 years we have been having him shoe ours, and I personally wouldn't change farrier over small price increases, as I am more than happy with the service he offers (I particularly like how he calls my mare 'Poppet', lol), but if your farrier keeps creeping the price up no one would blame you for swapping to a different one. I would ask around and find out which farriers have a good reputation instead of just going with the one that is cheaper, if you want to change. x
 
The trouble is its hard times for all.
The cost of fuel has risen,as has insurance and road tax,as has the cost of materials,so even though you are just having trims,farrier still needs to use a rasp,cutters and a hoof knife,all consumables and expensive.
 
Our farrier has put his prices up earlier this year (although not for trimming our old girl as he is already here). Talking to him the last time he visited, he was telling me that his diesel costs have gone up to £100 per week. They are in the same boat as the rest of us, their costs go up and they have to make a living.
 
If you're happy with your farrier, then don't begrudge him the extra. I'm sure he wouldn't charge it if he didn't need it.

Maybe we should be charged a call out fee, a work done fee, and a travel fee? That would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons, and bankrupt most of us too.........
 
Its hard enough to get a good farrier I'd be loathe to change for small prices increases however annoying that is. We pay £20 for a trim & £70 a set which for our area is competitive and my farrier is excellent.
 
I pay £60 for shod horse and £20 for a trim. I didn't realise that my farrier actually charges £65 for new shoes but he's never said anything when I'v given him £80 for the both of mine! I'v used him for 4 years!
 
i understand the need to increase because his costs have gone up but it just feels that every visit has seen an increase over the last 6 months and it gets a bit scary:eek: ;) I don't begrudge him as i couldn't ask for a better farrier but in know that if it increases again next visit OH is going to start muttering louder and louder:rolleyes:
I was hoping some of you were going to tell me that yours had all gone up too so that i could tell him it's a nationwide thing and not just my farrier which is OH's current opinion;)
I don't want to change as i'd feel disloyal as he's always been brilliant:(
 
Just playing devils advocate... do you need a full set?

A few years ago, a farrier put up his prices so steep I could only afford fronts. Horse was fine.
 
My farrier has never put up his prices the whole time he's been doing my horses. But times are hard and overheads are ever increasing. If he does a good job I would pay the extra for piece of mind!
Ps don't tell OH how much we spend on our horses ;)
 
First farrier was £50 a set, second was £64 a set and third was £74 a set but HUGE difference in quality and now hot shod and petrol included in this.
 
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