Getting rid farrier.

CrazyEquestrian

CrazyEquestrian

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Hullo all, any tips on how to get rid of my farrier because he's just so grumpy and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable around him. But feel awkward as he does other clients on the yard! Thanks in advance! :)
 
Simply book another farrier and calmly tell your other farrier that you don't need his services anymore. If he asks why, tell him, if he doesn't don't give excuses :)
 
CrazyEquestrian said:
Hullo all, any tips on how to get rid of my farrier because he's just so grumpy and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable around him. But feel awkward as he does other clients on the yard! Thanks in advance! :)
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You are the client and you are paying. Find a new farrier and tell the old one that you don't require his services any longer. There is no need to give reasons or make excuses. If you don't feel able to tell him his services are no longer required just don't make your next appointment with him.

If he is behaving inappropriately towards you report this to the yard manager/owner, perhaps suggesting that he warns the parents of any young girls on the yard. If this is what you mean by feeling "uncomfortable" around him make sure you are not left alone on the yard when he is there and do not leave any other woman or girl alone in his presence.

If you have a very serious complaint about this Farrier contact the Farriers' Registration Council

http://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/horse-owners/making-a-complaint/
 
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Just book a different one next time. I stopped using one who made me feel uncomfortable years ago, he shoes on my yard but never a problem. I didn't like the questions he used to ask about my personal preferences (for the record, no, I dont) but the final straw was when hubs (then boyf) told me if he saw him handle my elderly mare again he'd knock him out. Had apparently smacked her in ribs with a rasp for not moving quickly, she was arthritic and always moved over slowly.
Hubs was very fond of elderly mare!

Replacement farrier is lovely, I'm comfortable with him, horses adore him and their feet look great.

If he makes u uncomfortable how do u think he makes ur horse feel when u aren't looking? I would hold off actively 'firing' him as it were till ur new one has been so you know they turn up, do a decent job and don't make u feel even more uncomfortable lol
 
I was in the same situation, farrier had several clients on yard but I was unhappy with the service and wanted to change. I just didn't book the next visit and arranged for a new farrier to do my horses. Old farrier sent me a text 'demanding' to know why I hadn't made another appointment but after some thought just replied that I did not want to book another one at that time. I do get the silent treatment if I see him on the yard, but I am extremely happy with my new farrier so it doesn't really bother me.
 
Spotsrock said:
Just book a different one next time. I stopped using one who made me feel uncomfortable years ago, he shoes on my yard but never a problem. I didn't like the questions he used to ask about my personal preferences (for the record, no, I dont) but the final straw was when hubs (then boyf) told me if he saw him handle my elderly mare again he'd knock him out. Had apparently smacked her in ribs with a rasp for not moving quickly, she was arthritic and always moved over slowly.
Hubs was very fond of elderly mare!

Replacement farrier is lovely, I'm comfortable with him, horses adore him and their feet look great.

If he makes u uncomfortable how do u think he makes ur horse feel when u aren't looking? I would hold off actively 'firing' him as it were till ur new one has been so you know they turn up, do a decent job and don't make u feel even more uncomfortable lol
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Some farriers are just so awful. When my horses were on a livery yard, we had a certain farrier whose farriery skills were excellent, but his bedside manner with horses left a lot to be desired.

On one occasion, he was shoeing a huge warmblood who was a regular of the farrier's and as soft as grease, but this particular day, the warmblood wouldn't stand still. The farrier eventually twigged that the horse needed to pee, so he opened the stable door and kicked the horse up the backside as hard as he could. The horse naturally panicked and rushed forward, injuring his hip badly on the stable door as he fled inside.

I made sure that I was present always with my horses, but they all became quite frightened of him and the last straw was when he referred to my pride and joy as a '*ucking great cart ors'. He may well have been a 'drum horse', but he was very beautiful and the apple of my eye and I thus took my boy's bloody great plates of meat elsewhere!
 
Agreeing with everybody else here just don't make another appointment. No excuses needed.
I've been through 4 since I got my boy- first two could shoe but had the manner of pigs, second had lovely manners... But couldn't shoe well and was never on time. Have had current farrier for 3 years. Took alot of finding but he is perfect.

You might find that other liveries are feeling the same and might get a new farrier along with you or ask for him(or her!!) to shoe theirs too. All the best!
 
I would just not book another appointment and get someone else in, if he asks just remain polite and say you don't require his services anymore.
I've had a few, first was lovely but took forever, 2nd was a bit rude and abrupt, 3rd made me uncomfortable and i could never get hold of him, and he brought his whole family with him?! And the one I have now is lovely, his apprentice is lovely, they do a good job, nice and quick, and I always book with him on the day for the next one :-)
 
If he is doing a good job with your horses feet and keeping him sound then personally I'd put up with the grumpiness ! The main thing is he good at his job you may change to a nicer natured person but are they as good at shoeing? Also is he easy to get hold of and does he come out quickly to put on lost shoes.
 
Oh magucmelon mine is lovely, friendly but appropriate, cheerful, kind to my horses, actually quite find of the big lad I think, he shod him before I got him tho, quick but good and easy to get hold of, comes out same/next day for lost shoes too. There are lovely ones it there who happen to be blooming good farriers too!

My 'uncomfortable' one used to ask inappropriate questions about my preferences in the bedroom, not encouraged or flirting gone wrong, just gross pig rudeness - I had a 14 year old sharer at the time which worried me (she looked much older) and mistreating my old bag was the final straw

Horsey people are the only group that put up with rubbish as clients because it's such an informal transaction. I wouldn't use a mechanic who made me feel gross and I won't use a farrier who does same.
 
I don't even make an appointment with mine. He's just there every 8 weeks at 8am on Thursday. It's a good job he's lovely and a great farrier as I'd never be able to get rid of him!

As others have said, just say you need to check your diary and you'll let him know, then book another. You don't owe him an explanation, especially if he's not very pleasant to you.
 
MagicMelon said:
Aren't all farriers grumpy and all seem to hate horses? I think I've known one in my time who was actually non-grumpy...
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Mine is lovely and also a really good farrier, punctual and great with the horses. He thinks about what will help my mare to go better and will tell me how he's going to shoe her next time.

He was telling me recently that (at least in our area) there are now so many farriers that any who don't give good service will struggle to keep or build a client base, which is good for the clients!
 
Why is it that so many farrriers are grumpy? It seems to be a recurring theme and I know one who is very grumpy on a bad day, you have to gauge his mood very carefully before speaking, he is however an excellent farrier. Several years ago we had a charming farrier, always cheerful albeit flirtatious, however his work left a lot to be desired. I'm sure we wouldn't put up with vets, dentists, physios etc behaving like this so is it a shortage of good farriers that makes this acceptable?
 
EventingMum said:
Why is it that so many farrriers are grumpy? It seems to be a recurring theme and I know one who is very grumpy on a bad day, you have to gauge his mood very carefully before speaking, he is however an excellent farrier. Several years ago we had a charming farrier, always cheerful albeit flirtatious, however his work left a lot to be desired. I'm sure we wouldn't put up with vets, dentists, physios etc behaving like this so is it a shortage of good farriers that makes this acceptable?
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I think the profession attracts a certain type of person. My last farrier, who I liked, was a teacher and used to arrive with his group of students. There was always a 'big lad' - 18 stone of brute force. He'd take one look at my boy and decide he could win in the 'battle of the leg shake'. My horse would be chewing on his hay net, eyes half closed, 'gently' and slowly shaking his back leg, upon which was attached the 'big lad', puce and sweating, but convinced he was capable of winning the battle. The little skinny ones would give Jasper a rub on his forehead and he'd be putty in their hands, but the 'big lads' never seemed to learn.
 
Spotsrock said:
Horsey people are the only group that put up with rubbish as clients because it's such an informal transaction. I wouldn't use a mechanic who made me feel gross and I won't use a farrier who does same.
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^ ^ This ! I do wonder about the client service side. I've had two, neither of them any good at communication and don't seem bothered to find out about what's going on with horse. Even worse, there seems to be an unofficial monopoly going on round here. At my old yard farriers won't take you on if you are a client of another farrier at that yard. Bloomin cheek, what if you're not happy with the service?!
 
Have read through all replies and I'm so grateful for all the helpful advice! May give hime another chance but feel it's just not going to work out! :)
 
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