Farrier trouble

Brownmare

Brownmare

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Rather tricky really because this farrier was recommended to us when we moved to the area but he seems to do something different to both horses each time he comes. My tb now has odd sized front hooves, her back hooves were left too long last time but the farrier was still complaining she grows no hoof :confused: and he seems to put the nails in so low the clenches come up really quickly....

The other horse is a bit more complicated because he is both arthritic and laminitic although both conditions were under control. However since being shod by this farrier he is intermittently lame and he too now has very long toes and odd sized feet :mad:

I have given it 6 months but now I really can't justify getting him back again and my problem is I don't really know who to call instead. If I went on the FRC website I would just be playing russian roulette with my horses hooves again so if anyone can recommend a good farrier in the North Oxfordshire / South Warwickshire area who is good with manky tb hooves and can straighten out the mess mine are in I would be very grateful!

Thanks in advance :)
 
Not in your area sorry :(
but by God, do I know what you're going through!!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

Our ex (?) farrier basically prolonged our mare's lameness (because of lami) and according to the vet her degree of rotation would have worsened because of the time the farrier took messing about - basically he put "heart bars" on (which have turned out to be egg bars with a bit welded on!) and told us there was nothing more he could do.
A barefoot trimmer (also legal to shoe I must add, he mostly does barefoot - AND laminitics!) came down to a friends youngster and I was astounded at how he treated him - brilliant. So we asked him to look at Kelly, he took one look told us her diagnosis (without seeing the x-rays) and drew pictures for us of what should have been done. Without any pressure off him, we booked an appointment. He is confident he can get her sound (she is very slightly still lame in trot) by the time we want to go to an in-hand show in Oct - this is what we're aiming for!!

The other mare also has odd shaped feet, both different and she doesn't go the same now her hooves have been done (by the old farrier).
Ask on here, ask your vet for recommendations, or ask around the yard (if you're on one) and find someone who you can watch - we have a couple of people watching Kel be shod on Tues as they are debating swapping to this guy too. It's always good if you can get an idea of how they compose themselves and hear what they are saying.
Good luck x
 
Thanks for the moral support KH :) I get the feeling life would be easier if I were on a yard but we moved to a lovely big farm where we could keep the horses by the house and I don't know many local horsey bods because I can't get out competing at the moment :( I'm thinking of loitering at shows on foot for a bit of light relief!!
 
start a new post, being more specific in the title... "farrier recommendations in North Oxfordshire/South Warks?" or something, might help.
Or, is there nobody local who competes to a good level who you could ask about their farrier?
 
Perhaps you could try getting out a Trimmer rather than a farrier.
I know it might not be the advice you're looking for but the feet of my three have improved so drastically since having shoes off and a proper rebalance from my new trimmer. Im so pleased I made the change and I know so much more about their feet and their individual problems which the previous farriers I've had did not even consider.
Even if you dont decide to go barefoot it maybe helpful to you to get one out just to see what they say about the problems you have with your two.
Good luck.
 
Have you thought about asking your vet for a farrier, that they would reccomend, thats what we did when we moved area, I am in Northants and use a farrier based in Oxford pm me if you want further details.
 
The Farriers Registration Council has a list of farriers in each area. Try their website. Farriers have a four year two month apprenticeship and ought to be able to balance a foot properly. I know because I am married to one and he does a brilliant job but sadly they don't all work to the same standard.
 
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