Farrier - would you say something

[chaps89]

New to me farrier (done 2 shoeing cycles) was due Tuesday morning last week.
He cancelled Monday late evening. Managed to re-book him on Wednesday this week for this Saturday morning.
10 minutes after he was due to arrive he text to say not coming as too far and can he come another time when he's in the area.
She would have been shod full set last Tuesday but in the meantime we went to the vet and are going to pull shoes and she's going to have a holiday. I told him this as soon as he knew as I know it's a fair way for him to come out for 2 trims (as we're now so overdue may as well have companion re-done too) but I was also happy to pay travel.
My issue isn't so much him not coming but the exceptionally late notice and lack of response. I pay on time and always make sure the ponies have clean legs.
Anyway, waffley background over -
I've just sent a bit of a grumpy text, which I now feel a bit guilty about but should I text to clarify I'm grumpy because of the last minute notice and that we are now almost at 8 weeks since he last came, not that he'd rather rearrange to a time he's already in the area as I do understand that. Or just let sleeping dogs lie and hope he bl00dy well turns up on Monday? Not very good with people stuff and feeling rather stressed now!

 

[Amun]

Yes I would say something and I would find someone else. One time it can happen but to cancel second time last minute because "too far away" is simply rude. He probably knew this from the start.

 

[PapaverFollis]

This is why I trim my own now. I hate it but I could not cope at all with last minute cancellation and just being messed around and ignored. And I tried all the farriers. The ones that turned up did an awful job, the ones that did an adequate job didn't turn up.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

In our area there are plenty of farriers so we can always vote with ore feet. We've had our farrier for 20 years, when he's shod one of our horses he books us in for the next time. He always texts when he's on his way to us & where from. He normaly cancels us about 24hs in advance but this rarely happens. He's starting to get a little slower now but who isn't. He's a really good, he was a farrier at the 2012 Olympics.

 

[Steerpike]

No I wouldn't feel guilty, I can't be dealing with farriers that continue to delay or cancel last minute, OK for the rare occasion if they have an emergency. I have been extremely lucky with my farriers though he works set areas on set days of the week, I always book in for the next time and always have dry clean horses for them.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I wouldn’t be happy with that. There’s been a few occasions where my farrier is late, or has had to swap me out but he’s always given notice and is really nice about it. If he’s running late he gives me an ETA as soon as he knows he’s running late.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Sack him.

It’s why I’m now trimming my own. Though technically I didn’t ever sack my last farrier as our last communication was me enquiring whether he was still coming that day after yet another late appointment rearrangement followed by a no show. I never heard back from him.

My horses are well behaved, were in clean and ready, I have shelter and lights, and I paid when he’s here. Plus one was under strict vet supervision re foot balance, which he knew well about as he’d shod her twice at clinic direct to x rays.

Foot balance is going well now I’m diy, too.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I used to think my farrier was reliable because I treated him well and did all the right things. Then I moved away and tried to get a new farrier and realised that he was just reliable!

 

[CMcC]

Don’t feel guilty for being grumpy. Totally justified. Don’t rebook. Find another farrier.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Chaps, I'm v sorry to read this!
This is my farrier, I've never heard (honestly!) of him doing this.
Def find another x

 

[CanteringCarrot]

That's unfortunately typical behavior for farriers in my area. So frustrating. I ended up finding a very reliable barefoot trimmer.

I would look for other options.

 

[COldNag]

I would be rather cheesed off, and looking for a new farrier.

 

[chaps89]

Thanks everyone.
I had an amazing farrier for years, reliable and did a good job. I moved out of his area but continued to box over to him because I was worried about finding someone new but covid but a stop to that.
There's 5 farriers I know of in the area, I picked the best of a bad bunch to try next.
He always turned up when he said, lovely chap, but did a crap job of her feet. So I politely said I'd be going elsewhere which he was fine with, and started using this guy. Does a great job but no good if he doesn't show!
So back to the drawing board.
I'd like to keep her shoes off if I can but it's not worked when we tried it in the past so if anyone has any recommendations for barefoot trimmer or farrier who will come to Buckinghamshire area please let me know!
In the meantime I will be keeping my fingers firmly crossed he shows up on Monday which he said he might do and I won't be re-booking, if he doesn't show it will be a begging call to my original farrier!!!
It's stupid, I'm sat here on the verge of tears because I feel like I've let my pony down. She's lame ad uncomfortable and this won't be helping. I know it's irrational as it's not my fault and I'm doing everything I can to sort it but I still feel sh*tty :-/

 

[Maryann]

A farrier once explained a no show by saying he thought it might rain. It didn't and there was a covered area anyway. It transpired that he didn't want to come out for one horse and couldn't think of a way of telling me.

 

[Surbie]

I would get rid. It's a shame if he does a good job but last-minute cancelling does my head in.

 

[Elno]

I had one pull that stunt on me. He cancelled 2.5 hours before an appointment. I had taken a day of vacation from work, which turned out to be a waste then. I was furious and obviously changed farrier.

 

[PeterNatt]

Find yourself a reliable farrier. I have had my Farrier for 20 years now and he comes every 6 weeks on a Friday morning first thing. I am always booked in for 2 appointments in advance an it all works like a dream.

 

[Spottyappy]

Chaps where are you in Bucks?
pm if you prefer.

 

[Lady Jane]

Years ago you had to put up with this as farriers were scarce and really busy. These days most of us have a choice of farriers and I would vote with your feet and go elsewhere

 

[Shysmum]

I had one bad experience here in France, and sacked him. Now have an excellent *and very sexy* farrier, I book the next appointment each time he's here, not let me down yet. Think Olivier Martinez ? Oh, he's great at barefoot trimming too.

 

[chaps89]

Chaps where are you in Bucks?
pm if you prefer.

Currently near Heathrow, though likely moving out Beaconsfield/Maidenhead way soon

 

[Spottyappy]

Currently near Heathrow, though likely moving out Beaconsfield/Maidenhead way soon

Ah, wrong way for me to suggest anyone, I’m further up.
hopefully, someone else can help.
have you looked on the FRC website for local farriers to you?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I would be well peeved at being messed around. The guy obviously couldn't be arsed to go outside of his normal area, and should have said so from the outset instead of messing the client around.

Don't feel bad at expressing your opinion about it. It is not acceptable! End of.

 

[SEL]

I'm in Bucks and wish I could recommend..... but I'm trying to work out if I've been ghosted by my farrier or he's just disorganised.

 

[PurBee]

I had one bad experience here in France, and sacked him. Now have an excellent *and very sexy* farrier, I book the next appointment each time he's here, not let me down yet. Think Olivier Martinez ? Oh, he's great at barefoot trimming too.

A reliable AND sexy farrier! You are living the dream out there in france shysmum! ??

 

[sunnyone]

I think I may share Shy'smum's farrier if looks are anything to go by but I am in the very fortunate position of keeping my horses next door to my farrier's granny. She will do any reprimanding necessary regarding timekeeping for me but that hasn't been required for several years. He was late last time but phoned to say that he was running late because another earlier client had got an extra horse and not warned him. Fair enough.

I haven't been able to train him into a routine though. We always discuss his next visit but I have to text for an appointment, he then organises not only himself, but whoever is travelling over with him e.g. pre-school daughter, new partner,and of course granny. Needless to say the horses generally get a visit from at least one of the other visitors and if he comes over in between official visits, he'll check on them.

My UK farrier was extremely reliable too but his apprentice seemed not to have the same work ethic, hopefully he didn't qualify.

 

[ihatework]

I’m a one strike and you’re out kinda girl. Everyone can have a last minute hitch, but 2 on the trot ... this won’t change. Sacked.

 

[nikkimariet]

I’d say something. You have to explain that it’s your time that requires planning too, not just his.

I try and be sympathetic if mine is running late as I know how much I appreciate his work if it’s mine he is late because of.

Consistent radio silence irritates the F out of me and I make it clear that I just require a response one way or the other. Even if it’s a no etc I can then work around it.

 

[Millie-Rose]

This is not normal have used my farrier for 10 years and in that time has been late once (local town at standstill due to accident and no one could get through) and he text immediately to let me know then kept in touch with eta. Has only ever cancelled once and that was night before as got metal in his eye and couldn't see or drive. This was definitely genuine as his dad or a friend had to drive him round for a month afterwards. We communicate by text and if I text him will always get a reply within an hour. There is a farrier local to us who makes a habit of ghosting clients. He did it to one of my liveries who had been using him for over 20 years! Was one trim for old horse who was good as gold to do always in and clean paid at the time and 5 mins from his house. The horse didn't get done for months as they didn't want to be disloyal they even went to his house as thought something had happened to him he was at home but wouldn't come to door. He also did it to my groom and a friend and then when bumped into them a couple of years later was all hi how are you how's horse like nothing had happened crazy!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

New to me farrier (done 2 shoeing cycles) was due Tuesday morning last week.
He cancelled Monday late evening. Managed to re-book him on Wednesday this week for this Saturday morning.
10 minutes after he was due to arrive he text to say not coming as too far and can he come another time when he's in the area.
She would have been shod full set last Tuesday but in the meantime we went to the vet and are going to pull shoes and she's going to have a holiday. I told him this as soon as he knew as I know it's a fair way for him to come out for 2 trims (as we're now so overdue may as well have companion re-done too) but I was also happy to pay travel.
My issue isn't so much him not coming but the exceptionally late notice and lack of response. I pay on time and always make sure the ponies have clean legs.
Anyway, waffley background over -
I've just sent a bit of a grumpy text, which I now feel a bit guilty about but should I text to clarify I'm grumpy because of the last minute notice and that we are now almost at 8 weeks since he last came, not that he'd rather rearrange to a time he's already in the area as I do understand that. Or just let sleeping dogs lie and hope he bl00dy well turns up on Monday? Not very good with people stuff and feeling rather stressed now!

had this done and worse to me. I would say stuff you and cancel the next one and find another farrier, there are plenty about