Farriers - firm handling or violence - where's the line?

Quick response-its not the farrier that is in danger if the horse rears its the handler, which is why its the handler/owners responsability to discipline the horse if it needs to be. It is not the farriers job to teach/discipline horses that a naughty/nervous of them (but they do come in handy when you arent quite strong enough to stick hold!).
 
Have known some farriers that have hit horses with tools etc
but luckily never had to use them.
Can't sing my present farriers praises high enough.He has never 'never turned up' only time he couldn't manage had broken wrist and wife called reallocating people.
He did a wonderful job with loan horse who previously needed sedation .He actually took the time to let her overcome her fear(and it was a genuine fear).Now get all 4 shod without anything and outside which was a big no no.But he doesn't let them off with anything firm but fair.if a smack its hand on bum/neck and he always gives them a hug and a pat afterwards
Will be a very sad person when he retires
ETA agree if uses tools to hit horse definitely crossed the line
Have seen folk punching horse which I really don't like either so that would be crossing line to for me
 
Even though I don't have my horses shod now, I do agree with The Farrier. The training is the owner's responsibility. There is a lot you can do to make your horse Farrier Friendly, and I think it's all part of a horse's education and just as important as stable manners. schooling etc. It doesn't matter the age or history of the horse, it only takes a few minutes two or three times a week, a rasp and a hammer to play around with, and a chummy friend the same gender as your farrier who would be happy to come and play. Practice with the tools, get your horse used to having a leg pulled forward and placed on a subsitute stand. Use loads of praise and be patient, and keep your energy down. It's a nice game to play, it really pays off and will save a load of grief in the long run.
 
Only really one farrier for me. My gelding didn't really like this farrier from the start, so wasn't very cooperative, and then I heard from my friend who was their when he was getting shod, that he had been mucking about a bit, so the farrier had whacked him (with a tool, I believe). I didn't know if that was true, so kept the same farrier, but watched next time he came out. Needless to say, when Wings didn't move over for him with a little push on the flanks, he got out his hoof pick thing, and jabbed him in the ribs with it to get him to move over. Needless to say, I changed farriers straight afterwards, and they are so kind! He is like a different horse with them, not tense at all, basically falls asleep with his head on their backs (poor guys!). Tbh, they are much better farriers in general.

And just regarding above post, I don't really think in these instances it was Wings being an idiot, because with the new farriers he has, he is really well behaved and relaxed, I just think Wings' former farrier was too rough on him, so scared him a little.
 
QR

I can only agree wholeheartedly with The Farrier.

It is the OWNERS responsibiluty to train the horse, to hold the horse and to reprimand the horse if needed.
 
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QR

I can only agree wholeheartedly with The Farrier.

It is the OWNERS responsibiluty to train the horse, to hold the horse and to reprimand the horse if needed.

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Agree.

And I do as Kareef does, with all my youngsters/ or a new horse. So by the time the farrier comes to trim them they are used to it, used to putting legs up on tripods (or a road cone in my case!) etc.

Make them stand next to a horse being hot shod so they get used to the smoke and the smell.

It all makes a big difference when my farrier comes.
 
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