How to find a reliable farrier

[yannialice]

Hello having a bit of a headache with farriers.

I live near ediunburgh and have been let down by two farriers now.
They either don't answer your messages or you feel like you are stalking them trying to get hold of them. Latest I made an appointment with and he didn't even have the decency to turn up or even call.
Does anyone know any reliable farriers around edinburgh???

It seems if you don't have your horses on a yard you're not worthy of this very expensive service.

Do they realise tey earn over a £100 an hour!!!

 

[flirtygerty]

I suppose by the law of averages, there must be some reliable farriers, but I wish you luck in finding one.
Our current farrier will not answer his phone and rarely returns calls, he is a brilliant farrier when you can pin him down and always turns up on time, but he won't pre book, just says ring a week before, not a lot of help when you work shifts.
Having said that, after four messages, he called tonight to say he will be there 7 30 am, I will be pleased to see him as I have six shoes between 2 horses

 

[feisty_filly]

Try
Sean broadfoot
Ian Marshall
Roary
Lee Murray
Go onto the farriers reg website and they have a find a farrier page where u can put ur post code in and get a list of all farriers in ur area.
Also I'm married to a farrier and he deffo doesnt earn 100 an hour!

 

[Pale Rider]

Reliable farrier, an oxymoron, lol.

 

[Ladyinred]

I don't think the £100 an hour takes into account the travelling between jobs or the fact that a percentage are bound to be low-earning trims!! Or the cost of the shoes, vehicle, nails, tools etc!! Theoretically if they worked their socks off and stayed in one place then they might take £100 an hour, but they certainly don't make it lol. Sadly!

 

[Ladyinred]

Reliable farrier, an oxymoron, lol.

Debatable Ours has never let us down in over ten years. Only once did he have an emergency and was going to be late, so he phoned.

 

[Pale Rider]

Ladyinred, sounds like you have a diamond. Always an exception.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would suggest you find a farrier that works on an oppointments diary basis. My farrier has two future appointments for me booked in to his diary at any point in time and has proved to be 100% reliable. He does not shoe large yards and specialises in private yards so he knows exactly how many horses he is showing at each appointment.
Clearly his running expenses will be higher as he is spending more time going from appointment to appointment which is reflected in his charges but I do not have to waste time phoning him up all the time or waiting for him to turn up.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I haven't had any problems with reliability. With suitability yes.
I too like those who will prebook you future appointments, while they are there. I find it most infuriating to phone up every time - purely because they are so difficult to get hold of.

If I ever find a suitable farrier, who makes prior appointments, doesn't cancel willy-nilly AND is personable enough for me to feel comfortable with them - I'll report back but for the moment that mantle goes to my podiatrist who I am hugely sad to be losing for my riding horse this week.

 

[Emilieu]

I love my farrier. Very reliable, does a great job with my horse's feet and doesn't mind answering all my numpty questions at length. He arrives early and if he beats you to the yard he just gets started. Arrived within the hour on a Sunday at tea time to friend's horse with suspected lami - more accommodating than the vet!
Sorry no help to you op but felt I should defend the name of farriers!! Good luck finding one - you could try phoning local yards and asking who they use x

 

[YasandCrystal]

I don't think the £100 an hour takes into account the travelling between jobs or the fact that a percentage are bound to be low-earning trims!! Or the cost of the shoes, vehicle, nails, tools etc!! Theoretically if they worked their socks off and stayed in one place then they might take £100 an hour, but they certainly don't make it lol. Sadly!

^^ This. Sorry but OP is very very naive or stupid if they think farriers make £100 an hour. Think about the overheads.....insurance etc.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Years ago one of our horses lost a shoe & my then farrier clearly didn't want to come back & refit. He was always difficult to get hold of as well. I spoke with a woman in the next stable & she gave me number of her farrier. I called him, he came out within 24 hours & refitted. I asked if he'd take us on, he agreed & we've been with him ever since. After each shoeing we arrange next appointment, if their is a problem he will phone & let us know. If horse loses a shoe he's there within 24 hours, he's brilliant.

He must be doing something right as he left yesterday for the Olympics where he & 12 other farriers will be working. Apparantly he will be doing some shoeing but due to our laws regarding farriery he & the others have to be present when foreign team farriers are shoeing. He hasn't had to take his van or tools either as a state of the art forge & brand new tools etc have all been supplied by sponsors. (He's hoping for a few 'samples' )

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Well if they make £100 an hour why is my OH working all the daylight hours for an average wage, why do people always think that farriers are rich, they should see a set of accounts and once they factor in all the overheads they will wonder why anyone does it. There are loads of farriers covering the Edinburgh area and I can assure the OP many farriers prefer private customers with a few horses to working on big yards.

 

[MardyMare]

Sorry to hijack your post but I logged on today to ask a question about finding a farrier and found your post.

Is there a institute or something to look up a farrier. My vet has suggested getting a second opinion off someone but didnt have their number. I thought they were quite well known but google has not been able to help. I may be spelling their name wrong. Otherwise any recommendations Worksop / Whitwell area?

Thanks, again sorry OP.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

The Farriers Registration Council is the place to look for info.

 

[MardyMare]

The Farriers Registration Council is the place to look for info.

Thank you - and found my number - cheers!

 

[yannialice]

Hi everyone,
thanks for that. I will defend my old farrier before i moved he always turned up never answered messages was fantastic.
Around edinburgh however they seem really unreliable and unwilling to make appointments in advance and then when they do not turning up. just a bit frustrating just now.
have been given a name by someone so will try him.
Thanks......will keep posted on the farrier saga!!!!!!

 

[yannialice]

oh and just for the record, didn't mean they got paid £100 ponds an hour meant that i paid them £100 pounds an hour. so calm down!!!

 

[peaceandquiet1]

lol!