Farrier - would you say something

[Scotsbadboy]

Sack him. Best thing i ever did with a flaky farrier who couldnt commit! You will find better. I'd reply to the text and say thank you but services no longer required and then ignore any response. Although if i got a rude text back my reply would be very simply .... 'Imagine and Reputation *insert name*, image and reputation!' and leave it at that!

 

[Xmasha]

Why are some farriers so blinking rude/bad businessmen. i dont think you need to say anything. He clearly doesnt want/need your business. Id find someone else.

 

[Afon_34]

Did he turn up this morning?

 

[chaps89]

Haha, no of course not, not a peep from him. To be fair, it's not a bad thing as they're currently out in the field and the lane to the yard is a bit treacherous. I could put straw down to get them in if I really needed as it's not a long stretch but I figured it wasn't worth wasting time doing so unless I knew he was definitley coming.
Begging voicemail left with original farrier, failing that will try a local-ish forge.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

My favourite line that my hubby uses with farrier, horse physio or any tradie for that matter is:

”mate, you have been recommended because of the reputation you have for the quality of work you turn out, but I have to ask you if you know how to use a phone, a diary and a watch?”

”If we set up a time for you to be here, then you better be here or that reputation of yours might not be so good anymore”.

He had a career Project Management in commercial construction prior to moving to our equestrian business. He will not tolerate anyone who is late or a no-show.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Why are some farriers so blinking rude/bad businessmen. i dont think you need to say anything. He clearly doesnt want/need your business. Id find someone else.

Wellll a lot of people in the horse industry don't have the best social skills, tbh. My OH (also horsey) says farriers are a special breed. ?‍

I had one that wasn't bad, but he just couldn't do the job and get the horse right (quarter cracks). I don't know why because I've seen many other horses done by him that look great. My trimmer is good too, but she's not technically a farrier.

Around here they can afford to treat clients like crap. A friend often has her horse done 2 or so weeks after she is due since that is when the farrier decides to show up. Many horses at the yard are often overdue but people still use him. I don't tolerate it which made things slightly weird since his wife is also a livery at the yard and basically everyone else uses him. But I do what's best for my horse. Sure I'm one of the oddballs/non clients and it made things socially odd, but I don't care. No time for that!

Anyway they can do crap work and jerk clients around since there are not so many in the area and all the good ones hardly ever take new clients it seems. So options are very limited. I imagine this holds true in other areas too.

Being a farrier is hard work, and when I have a good one I appreciate them. I'm always on time with a clean well behaved horse, good covered work area and occasionally will give a tip (holidays for example) or give them a little something.

I don't know why he can't just say that he doesn't want to come your way or do your horses anymore. Quite simple and everyone moves on.

 

[Reacher]

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 teddxt 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!

With the benefits of hindsight, having been in your shoes , having been there, done it, had the lame horse and having bought the tee-shirt - I'd send very grumpy text pointing out the WCMF advises a shoeing interval of 5-7 weeks , that long trimming intervals cause long toes and why is he content to put my horse at risk of navicular disease. (You'd want to have a replacement lined up before sending the snotogram!)

I ended up finding an alternative (in my case it happened to be a BFT instead of farrier) who travels much further to us than the farrier (who was local) yet manages to be completely reliable (has only cancelled due to an emergency ) and has taught me to trim myself so I am happy to go 12 weeks trims or more in a pandemic as I trim my horses on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Obviously being barefoot doesn't work for everyone and has its own disadvantages (I can't compete on at all slippery ground) but it is still big relief not having to deal with no - shows.
Sorry gone off on a rant - basically I hope you can find someone both good and reliable- maybe from recommendations on here - and you could consider learning to trim yourself.

 

[Mucking out - still]

No, don't say anything - just find a new farrier. If he's rude enough to leave it until the last minute, then he doesn't deserve your effort of talking. You say you like his work, but he's not a good farrier if he's willing to leave your horse so long. And don't feel guilty!

 

[chaps89]

I haven't bothered to try and get hold of him today, nor will I for future.
I think it's completely unacceptable to leave a horse 8 weeks between shoeings unless there's absolutely exceptional circumstances, but especially so if they know that a) the horse is currently lame and b) the horse is very sensitive to foot balance at the best of time, I'm severely unamused.
I've contacted my original farrier, hoping he'll come back tonight, if not I'll try the forge option tomorrow.