How long for farrier to come to replace a lost shoe?

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HelenBack

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Just a bit of a poll really, if your horse loses a shoe, how long does it usually take for your farrier to come out to replace it? Probably fairly obvious why I'm asking but I'm just wondering what a normal expectation might be.
 
poiuytrewq

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When I’ve had a local farrier he would call
In on his way home the same day or next at worst.
My current farrier would have a fair way to come in the wrong direction for him, luckily my horse never has lost a shoe but I’d not expect him to get to me that fast.
 
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cold_feet

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I would expect a couple of days. But on Monday I called him around 11 and he came the same day around 6.30pm. I was very grateful, but I imagine it would depend on where he is and how much work he has when I call. He will usually make time if I have something important on.
 
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eggs

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Mine isn't local to me but will drop in when he is in the area. Could be the same day, could be in a week although if I have a competition coming up he will try to get to me the same day - often very late and having had to make a big detour.
 
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CMcC

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My farrier is over an hour from me. Last time I had a lost shoe I messaged him on Sunday and he came out 8am Monday morning.
 
Ample Prosecco

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Depends on where farrier is that day and whether I have anything important coming up. And on the relationship with the farrier too I think. He has come the same day. But he had to come in the evening and I would not normally expect that. But I use him religoisly every 5 weeks, pay on time , Lotte is easy, we have worked together a while and I was eventing the folllwing day. So he did me a favour. But otherwise 2-3 days. Also some might put it back on if you box the horse over to them which I have also done in the past if I need a shoe in a hurry.
 
TGM

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I think it depends on whether the shoe has come off within the normal shoeing period or whether horse is overdue for shoeing. Also whether the horse is in regular work, whether the feet break up very easily when a shoe is lost. As a farrier's wife who does the bookings, we normally try and get things sorted in a couple of working days. But if there was someone miles away whose horse lost a shoe eight or nine weeks after last shoeing then they wouldn't be top of the priority list!
 
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Annagain

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Mine does different areas on different days so it might take him a few days but never more than 3, I'd say. If I've suspected an abscess he's been there the same day even if it's quite late.
 
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HelenBack

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TGM said:
I think it depends on whether the shoe has come off within the normal shoeing period or whether horse is overdue for shoeing. Also whether the horse is in regular work, whether the feet break up very easily when a shoe is lost. As a farrier's wife who does the bookings, we normally try and get things sorted in a couple of working days. But if there was someone miles away whose horse lost a shoe eight or nine weeks after last shoeing then they wouldn't be top of the priority list!
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Oh I miss the days of the farrier's wife doing the bookings. I had this years ago and it was fantastic. I think part of the problem nowadays is that farriers manage their own diaries and are trying to balance seeing customers for booked appointments with replying to phone calls and messages for lost shoes, lameness issues etc. Part of my gripe with my current farrier is that he's rubbish at communicating and I have to chase him a lot which is just frustrating.

Anyway, I thought three days was a reasonable amount of time given that I'm a regular customer who pays on time, makes the next appointment when he's out for the current one, never goes longer than five weeks between shoeings, am flexible about when he comes etc etc. It seems from the replies here that three days is about average so thanks for all your feedback.
 
ihatework

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Mine would generally come same day if I said it was urgent - but I only use that term if it genuinely is!
Otherwise probably 2-3 days in most cases.
 
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Fieldlife

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Best was when my horse cast a shoe in the school whilst I was lunging before 8am in the morning. I text farrier. Farrier arrives to replace said shoe before I have finished lunging said horse. (He was driving past us on route somewhere else).

I did a number of years back have two horses on shoe sucking clay in winter. I did take them to the farrier quite bit to have them put back on / take them where he was working. We didnt last another winter on that clay!
 
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Interesting post, my share horse's flakey farrier hadn't shown up for 2 weeks from lost shoe (owner rescheduled 3 times) I'm not wanting to ride them inbetween out of fear of them getting footsore... loaner problems. If the horse was mine Id be finding a new farrier...
 
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Fieldlife said:
Best was when my horse cast a shoe in the school whilst I was lunging before 8am in the morning. I text farrier. Farrier arrives to replace said shoe before I have finished lunging said horse. (He was driving past us on route somewhere else).

I did a number of years back have two horses on shoe sucking clay in winter. I did take them to the farrier quite bit to have them put back on / take them where he was working. We didnt last another winter on that clay!
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Yes I did once in the past have an occasion where I phoned the farrier and left a message. I pretty much hung up and straight away after he turned up. I was on his yard at the time though so that probably explains that one. Another farrier used to always come the same evening where possible or if not the following day at the latest, which was always good as it didn't tend to disrupt plans too much.

We're on clay now though and it is certainly a nuisance in the winter. I don't think there are any alternatives round here, it's all horrible!

christine456 said:
Interesting post, my share horse's flakey farrier hadn't shown up for 2 weeks from lost shoe (owner rescheduled 3 times) I'm not wanting to ride them inbetween out of fear of them getting footsore... loaner problems. If the horse was mine Id be finding a new farrier...
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Yeah 2 weeks isn't okay and in that case I would be looking for somebody new too. My reason for posting is my farrier is getting less reliable. He used to be really good but the last year or so he's just starting rejigging things at short notice a bit too often for my liking. Things happen but there are also things you know are going to happen and you can plan for and I have a life too. Not much of one but that's not the point. He's been a bit hit and miss with his response time to lost shoes but also with his response time to letting me know when he can come and I'm just getting fed up of chasing him. I know I can be a bit impatient but I just wanted to test the water to see if my expectations were along the same lines as others or if I need to calm down a bit.

Birker2020 said:
My last farrier charged me £20 for a lost shoe! Think I remember waiting about 3 days too.
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Thankfully I have managed to find all shoes so far. I probably wouldn't mind paying and would actively volunteer to do so if it meant he came quickly, it's the waiting and the lack of communication that frustrates me!
 
AandK

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HelenBack said:
I've been toying with barefoot for this horse but I think it would be a bit more of a challenge for various reasons. It's seeming quite a lot more attractive at the moment though!
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My other (ridden) horse was barefoot for about 18 months, and it was lovely not to have to worry about lost shoes! Luckily he keeps his shoes on when shod (which he has been for a couple of years now), not common for a TB!
 
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HelenBack

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AandK said:
My other (ridden) horse was barefoot for about 18 months, and it was lovely not to have to worry about lost shoes! Luckily he keeps his shoes on when shod (which he has been for a couple of years now), not common for a TB!
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Yes my other one is bare and I do a lot of his rasping myself and it's bliss not to have to worry about lost shoes or rely on anyone else really. The shod one had been great but seems to be having a bad run at the moment. I'm hoping now that it's drying up things will calm down...

Annagain said:
Who do you use HB? Just wondering if it's worth recommending someone else. PM me if you prefer.
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Yes I will do if you don't mind, would be good to hear if you have any suggestions as I've been a bit frustrated with a few other things lately but don't really know who else I would ask. I'll PM you tomorrow now if that's okay as I'm about to head to the yard now and have a few things to do this evening.
 
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Flowerofthefen

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Birker2020 said:
My last farrier charged me £20 for a lost shoe! Think I remember waiting about 3 days too.
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A farrier I had a while ago charged £20 for a lost shoe even if it within 7 days of being shod. I made a comment about horse always loosing shoes and his reply was ' well do you think we enjoy coming out to put them back on!' Got rid of him and never had the same issue with shoes again!
 
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