Farrier trouble...

[trubble]

Hello

I have been riding a horse for someone for nearly two years, and the arrangement between the owner and I is that I pay for the shoes. It used to be every other time but now I pay every time she is shod.

I asked for stud holes this time as I'm looking to do some ODEs over the summer. Had an event on Saturday, but I couldn't even get the studs in the holes were too small????? (Please tell me there is only one size?!)

Not only that but before that the farrier was meant to come to shoe at 11am one Saturday, he didn't turn up and he didn't even call to say he wasn't coming! Owner tried to call and leave messages and it really screwed me up because I was meant to meet someone for a ride. Owner said he then called and said his work van was in the garage (she knew this, but he booked for 11am so I would imagine he would have had his van back?) he also said he left his work phone in the van so couldn't get the message to us.....

EVEN BEFORE THAT owner went away for a few days and I was left to tend to the animals. Horse twisted her shoe and I couldn't take it off as it was still very much attached just twisted (I would rather not have to pull her shoe off when I don't know how and I didn't have the tools..!) and I called farrier, left a message. He called back but I missed it by a nanosecond, so called back right away. No answer, left another message. Later that day I had a text "Can do Saturday for you". So I text back "What time Saturday?" NO answer!!!!! She was in the field like that for about 4 days before owner returned and pulled the shoe off. (FYI she is kept at home so no one else to help me!)

So I know of a farrier who is brilliant and has an excellent reputation who is going it alone and needs some clients. I told owner and she said "I'd rather stick with our farrier, I've been with him for 7 years and I want to be loyal/he's been good to me etc' I was like 'ok....'

But at the end of the day I'm paying, I've paid for stud holes that I can't use and I mean how incompetent can you get? There is only one size of stud holes, right?!

Can anyone offer me any advice on how to approach this situation? I know what some of you will say "She's not your horse, you have no say etc etc" and I could just leave the owner to it but she sometimes doesn't shoe her for 7 weeks and she has bad feet anyway - one has/had a crack (it's just about gone) and both front feet kind of 'bow' if they are left too long.

Owners friend who lives next door has text her to say that a new farrier is looking for clients and she knows how bad this farrier is so I have someone on side, but owner is a bit soft and wants to stick with farrier because she's 'been with him for a long time'

Sigh....

 

[AmyMay]

Sigh....

I guess that's all you can do.

However, if you are paying for every shoeing - there's nothing from stopping you making a regular 5 week appointment with current farrier.

 

[trubble]

No you are right - I have been paying for the shoes since January and have recently told owner I think it would be a good idea for me to book the farrier after the last 7 week stretch.(The last shoeing). Owner is very busy and I said it would make sense for me to arrange shoeings seeing as I pay.

It's just a bit frustrating, but this is what I get when she is not mine

 

[wench]

If your paying for it, you should have choice of farrier, and book farrier when you want. However if want to keep owner happy, then you should book the farrier.

Did you tap the holes before you tried studs in?

 

[trubble]

Hi wench, (sorry your username is not kind! )

I couldn't even get the tap in the hole! I cleaned out stones, mud and then took out the plug but I couldn't get the tap in clean it further. I've told a friend who is very knowledgable about studs and she will have a go on the weekend, but I wonder if indeed they are too small owner will see how crap farrier is?!

Her feet aren't 'RSPCA case' bad it's just she could do with better each time, and I'm not one for excuses about leaving 'work phone in work van' and just not turning up!

I just think he is taking the pee

 

[MerrySherryRider]

If your paying for it, you should have choice of farrier, and book farrier when you want. However if want to keep owner happy, then you should book the farrier.

Did you tap the holes before you tried studs in?

Unfortunately, no. Horse is not owned or loaned by the OP. The arrangement is for rides and paying for shoeing.
Making decisions for the horse's welfare is up to the owner, not the rider. I would be livid if someone who has free rides on mine changed my farrier or any other professional I use.

If the farrier is not good at his job, all you can do is what you are already, talk about what you feel the problems are and hope she'll agree.

 

[bj666]

Sorry but there are 2 sizes of studs ... 3/8ths and 5/16ths .... the common ones are the 3/8ths .The 5/16ths tend to be in pony shoes , raceplates or narrow shoes as they can only that a smaller thread . Depending on the shoe size and the conformation of the hoof that your horse has your farrier may only of been able to fit narrower shoes in which case they would have to be the 5/16th stud holes . I would of thought he would of told you this as it is less common sizes but .....maybe not !!!