Farrier V Barefoot trimmer the differences I have found

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Ranyhyn

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Now, this is an observation based on my own opinion. My horse is currently unshod/barefoot as you like it. Purely because that suits us presently, at such a time when it doesn't, I would put her back in shoes.

The main difference I have noticed, between the farriers I have used (whose work I have been varyingly pleased with, from very pleased - to not happy at all) and the trimmer I use currently is this.

The trimmer rocks up, he's got notes, he takes photos, he spends a lot of time talking to us before he starts work.

He allocates us plenty of time, usually a 2hr slot. If we ask questions we get proper answers.

Now the farriers I have used, 3 in my horsey lifetime. Only one who I haven't been 100% happy with. The common theme between all of them is a lack of time and a lack of communication.

They seem to allocate maybe 30-40 mins to shoe the horse, questions are answered quickly whilst still doing things. The onus always FEELS to me, to be on doing the job quickly.

While I admit, this could be a difference between a reasonable farrier and a GOOD farrier - does anyone else find this is the case?

Is this something that farriers need to look into doing better on - their customer service skills? Do you feel like for that time period you and your horse are the most important people to that farrier? Are farriers overworking themselves, thus causing the problem themselves or do they need to do so much work that they can't dedicate much time per client?

All musings I've had from my very brief foray into trimmers. I have to say I feel much more confident in my trimmer than in all but one of my past farriers and the one I trust, never returns phonecalls and is nigh-on uncontactable. As good as he is, that's no use to anyone:o

Thoughts?
 
I am not in a position to answer this properly as I have never used a trimmer only farriers. All of mine are presently unshod and I plan to keep them that way. I find there is a difference in attitudes between different farriers. The ones that overwork themselves often are easy to contact but in too much of a rush. The ones that are hard to contact. My present one does not have a full client load at the moment and so is easy to get hold of and shows up on time. He is not good at discussing how to keep their hooves in good condition that is he answers questions in a not very detailed way says 2 have terrible hooves but is not good at suggesting how to improve them. When I read about hoof care it is all diet and movement and surfaces but my farrier and none of the farriers I have come across discuss this. I would like farriers to be able to do this but unless their regulatory and training body makes this an important part of what they do it will not happen.
 
Just out of interest - how much are trimmers v farriers?

I have noticed a difference in the way my farrier acts if it's just my girl to trim - he's a little more rushed but he always answers questions fully and really knows his stuff in regards to hoof care, diet etc. But if it's a large call out he is so much more methodical and will even hang around with a cup of coffee and chat about feet to numpties for aages.

I think it's just more economical for him to be quick at the trim (never does anything wrong, just a bit quicker than normal) as he only charges £10 which I doubt barely covers petrol and his time, but when it's a whole yard call out he sets aside more time for horses as, well, it's more pay :P
 
Never used a trimmer but i am very happy with the way my farrier looks after my unshod horse. He is very willing to spend time explaining things to me and often talks about how an unshod foot works the way nature intended and is a big advocate of horses going unshod to help with various problems which he feels aren't helped by wearing shoes. I am not sure if my farrier is a rare example, but i haven't yet found any reason to consider that i need a "barefoot trimmer" rather than a good "farrier".
 
Solo1 said:
Just out of interest - how much are trimmers v farriers


In my case
Trimmer £30 per horse no travel charge
Field trim from my farrier including large chucks of frog chopped off and extensive paring of sole no matter what I asked for £25 plus £20 travel
Set of shoes just paid bill £ 108 including the travel.
Click to expand...
 
Trimmer charges £40 but considering she has to come quite a distance is very reasonable, spends ages talking about the feet and diet etc, we have about an hour and a half time slot.

Farrier ( when I used one ) £20 and spend about ten minutes, always late/in a rush only ever talked about personal stuff! and tea on tap!

I suppose trimmers can be more passionate where as some farriers, or certainly the ones I've used, regard it as just a job
 
oh cost, £40, but I get a lot more input and, v importantly I know that she will be on the end of the phone if I need her/worried at all!
 
I find farriers these days more and more have a lack of interest in the client, for the last 2 week iv tried to get hold of my farrier he never calls or texts back... I know he's not on holiday as he did someone else's horse last Friday. Yes I always find they are in a rush it item feels like wham bam thank you mam with the last 3 farriers I've met and I am beginning to lose hope of finding a good reliable one!
 
My trimmer charges £35 for the horse and £30 for the pony, however rarely charges for the pony anyway as she rarely has anything to do.
Like the OP, I also find that my trimmer has time to spend with my horses, and never seems to be in a rush. My horses are also very calm with her and yesterday both fell asleep in the sunshine whilst having their "pedicure".
I don't, however think that all farriers are bad at all and can probably do the same job as a trimmer, but my personal preference is for my trimmer. If I ever end up unhappy with her work, then I will look for an alternative, just as I would with any service I was unhappy with, and I would not rule out a farrier as the alternative.
 
As part of tge trimming courses it includes passing on info to owners re foot maintainance. It helps tge trimmer in tge long term too if tge feet become healthier, and builds a good relationship with the client!! 2 hrs r normally scheduled for a first consult and notes taken on movement, condition, current management, intended use, diet etc followed by pics of feet.

Often explain to client (if they wish) what happening as doing trim, and leave recommendations for foot care in bwteen visits. Follow ups r about 45 -60 mins.

Charges r around £30-50 (some include travel others charge s small amount on top) depending on how far away, how horse behaves, how good/bad feet are, topical treatments applied etc.

When a had a farrier about 4 yrs ago they charged £15 per trim. Find at mo its £15-25, accoring to various people I know.
 
Love my current farrier 100 years old(joking) and comes out when I need him, answers all my mad questions of worry about this crack that lump/bump/smell etc lameness etc in fact i would call him first if horse had been lame. Used by lots of folks where I live. Also used another young lad. Very prompt too. Acquired him on recommendation. Brings lots of veg etc and I give him some eggs! Cost £20 a trim. Sounds like he might be a one off then?
 
My farrier charges £60 for shoes for my daughter's TB. My trimmer charges £45 for my cob, but it would be cheaper if I could persuade my friend to give it a go, instead of complaining about her farrier but still using him!
 
my old farrier, whilst very good at his job, did not go much on conversation, even one of his apprentices mentioned it to me!! so i never felt like i could ask too much without being a nuisance:(
my new one is much more chatty, will ask me how the horses have been going, if there's been a problem, he'll point out something he's spotted and we'll talk about it. he came out in the pouring rain on a sunday morning to dig out my girls abcess and then poulticed it for me, charge=£10, he then phoned me a couple of days later to ask how she was doing, i have never in my life had a farrier do that!!! he's not always punctual but i'm beginning to realise that's because he spends time to talk rather than rush off, mine are all barefoot and it's working well using him to trim so i don't feel the need to change to a trimmer. if there comes a time where i get problems and he can't/won't help then i would consider it.
 
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