Farriers

[flirtygerty]

Just read the shoes thread, am I the only one that feels held to ransom by
farriers, most of whom are a law unto themselves, I have in the past seriously considered reporting a large farrier practice (8) which charged VAT and still couldn't show up when promised, turned up unanounced and left a note saying they had been, swore down thump they had called and left a message (didn't), yet I didn't just in case I had to use them again, we work long shifts and need to be organised for vets, farriers etc.
We moved this year and now pay extra for our lovely farrier to come out to us, but he has a habit of going off round Europe, so I am just waiting for his next trip, I am letting mine go barefoot in preparation for my farriers next trip, but our mare will struggle barefoot while the gelding is fine, what do I do?
Local farriers are either full or bullies, who I wouldn't let near my mare again, so I am stuck with a farrier who is good but his heart is elsewhere.

Rant over.

 

[Abandluc]

I've very recently had a bad experience with the farrier I used for 4years.
But I did kind of feel held to ransom as I forgave him when he swore down blind that he had put new shoes on my pony as I requested (he often has refits) then finally after me making him come back out, admitted that he had put shoes on that had been taken off another pony but had charged me for brand new ones!!! He has done this a few times to horses on my yard.
The final straw was when he hit a horse round the head with a closed fist with me standing there. Needless to say we had a screaming row with him telling me he wasn't going to allow the horse to misbehave and he needs to be taught a lesson.

He certainly won't be shoeing my horses again and I have subsequently found out about 4 good farriers in my immediate area. I will be telling them that I have had a bad experience and I will have no quarms in changing farriers again if I feel that either the horse or me is being unfairly treated.

I think you should just ask around and ring any adverts you see. At the end of the day you are the paying customer so the farrier should meet your needs.

PS I did think of reporting the above farrier but he is quite young and I think it would ruin his life if he was stuck off, however I am going to ring him and tell him this and hope that he realises how close i was!

 

[flirtygerty]

The last new farrier I tried didn't even speak to my mare, grabbed her foot and when she pulled it away, thumped her in the ribs, then whenhe was doing her back feet, he jabbed her in the belly with the rasp, I didn't see what provoked this, but I have spent hours building up her trust and have never had to resort to violence, although she can be stroppy, time and patience usually works, our regular farrier doesn't have problems with her unless she is in season and both me and my mare found it distressing and this farrier came reccomended, I would rather trim her myself and leave her unshod than have him back.
My mare will happlily hold her feet up if asked for her foot