Farriers in south east kent

We use Richard Wilkins... Kindest farrier I've found with the horses, very quiet, always ON TIME and will come out ASAP to put lost shoes on etc for free (: charges 60 for a full set hot shod.

Would avoid chris Connell? Always late therefore not much time for the horses!
 
Eddie dennis for me :) Chris is ok if you watch him! Always late but will come late night/early morning/short notice in emergencies......rushes though if left to his own devices, done a full set in 15 mins once :o but surprisingly if you stand over him does good! There's a lot worse unfortunately around :(
 
I'm Medway area. Near west malling. Was Richard wilkins ever Chris connells apprentice? Someone at my yard thought he was. What other farriers are around? I've gone off the idea of Chris connell, despite him being one of the cheapest, it's just not worth a shoddy job or loads of wIting around which I won't have time for nor my horse patience for. Chris wiggings is always fully booked.
 
midnight mayhem said:
I'm Medway area. Near west malling. Was Richard wilkins ever Chris connells apprentice? Someone at my yard thought he was. What other farriers are around? I've gone off the idea of Chris connell, despite him being one of the cheapest, it's just not worth a shoddy job or loads of wIting around which I won't have time for nor my horse patience for. Chris wiggings is always fully booked.
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Yes Richard Wilkins was chris Connells apprentice. I find it interesting how different farriers they are though considering this. Chris would constantly overbook, always be at least an hour late and rush the job.. Rich on the other hand the complete opposite.. Always onetime if not early, even our difficult horse stands like an angel for rich, he's just so quiet and does a good job even on my typical tbs shoddy feet!
 
Eddie Dennis can be a rude, arrogant and unpleasant man in my more recent experience. He was a brilliant farrier, but seems to be very variable atm. Just my opinion though.
Graeme Burt is good if rather unconventional in his methods. Very reliable, on time, comes out 7 days a week, very passionate about his trade and the welfare of horses. About £55 - £65 a hot shod set, depending on road nails etc.Gary Burton rather heavy handed with anxious/ opinionated horses.
 
Have seen a number of above mentioned farriers and most of them I woudnt use. A good reliable farrier who is also trained for remedial shoeing and is very highly qualified is Kevin Willlard, not a bargain but not the most expensive either and has a good sense of the horses, handles them really well and is great if they are anxious too. Would happily recommend.
 
BethH said:
Have seen a number of above mentioned farriers and most of them I woudnt use. A good reliable farrier who is also trained for remedial shoeing and is very highly qualified is Kevin Willlard, not a bargain but not the most expensive either and has a good sense of the horses, handles them really well and is great if they are anxious too. Would happily recommend.
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^^^^ this. Has been my farrier for years and equally good with shod/unshod horses (i.e. doesn't view unshod as inferior!)
 
midnight mayhem said:
Lots of farriers to consider :-) anyone heard of robin? Sorry, don't know his surname.
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Robin Burchell.

Love him! Done wonders with my Horse (diagnosed with very bad sidebones) suggested we tried a trim and barefoot and hoofboots! Horse is now sound as a pound. Robin will also only trim if necessary for many months when my lad was self trimming he ran a rasp round and did not charge me.

Been very patient with my large Irish mare who was terrified of the Farrier and she will now be happily trimmed.

He also does hot shoeing

He charges 22 for a trim sorry have no idea at what he charges for shoeing.
 
Avoid Chris Connell like the plague!!!!! He was so hard with my unbroken mare even when he knew her feet had never been touched!!!! Still trying now to find a kind farrier :((( xx
 
Hi guys, new here :)

I've never had a problem with chris connel, he's always been really good with my 2 horses, especially my thoroughbred who had horrible feet, he's worked wonders with my mare too and my mare actually likes him (she's often really nasty with farriers as she has a bad thing with men) and he always has her best interest at heart! I was after a farrier 2 days after I moved my 2 horses from east sussex to maidstone and he got back to me right away, he's always been so accomadating and his prices are fair! I ring him up (or text him) anytime I have a worry with my horses! Fab farrier that always does his best and always looks after the horses. X
 
totally agree with the above!!
Chris Connell is the best farrier we have used have done wonders with my pony's feet! wouldn't use another farrier.
 
I've used Chris Connell in the past and never had an issue with him. I currently use Steve O'Dell and he is absolutely fantastic! Has worked wonders on my flat footed mare!

PM me if you'd like to know farriers I'd recommend to stay away from!
 
i recently moved to medway, before i used jason paton smith who was just fab. when i moved it was too far for him to come, used steve o'dell once but when i tried to book him when i moved to another yard close by, he didnt reply for weeks and by then i had ian jackson do pumba. he has been brilliant, he is great with my cheeky lad and recommended a supplement to help his poor feet. he is very knowledgable and doesnt cost you the earth. steve o'dell charged me £80 for fronts and pads where as ian charges me £45!
 
would avoid gavin morgan - I have used wayne place - lovely bloke and always on time - managed to get my tb ok with being shod again (over the course of two years and with it taking 2.5 hrs to get a set on first time ) my riding instructor uses robin burchall and some over friend use chris eldridge
 
FirstLight said:
Lewis Knaggs is fab, really sorted my odd footed one who now has identical hooves!
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Lewis is great! He was my farriers apprentice and is very talented, I have known him since he started out. He has won awards and prizes at college as well, he is quiet, very sympathetic and kind and actually appears to like horses which some farriers sadly don't! Along with my farrier he is the only other person I would trust to handle my horses alone, and he has done so several times.

When/if my farrier gives up then I shall be knocking on Lewis' door.
 
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