If you were a farrier which would you prefer?!!

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poiuytrewq

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Long story but I have a new farrier this morning, typically its muddly and rough and just a bit vile outside.
He is doing my retired TB at home- who is in feet picked and legs washed, ponies- same. We are also going to pop down to the field a few miles away and do the two trims there. All summer this has been fine. Old Farrier followed me down, I grab them and we trimmed by the gate. Great when the ground is bone dry. There is no where really there to wash them or hard standing to tie them. Although obviously its only rained a few days. Its not muddy as such but I was quite suprised at the state the home ones just came in.
So We can stick to plan and do them there in the field, They wont be as clean as I'd like but will be quieter and easy. Or i can shoot and get them home on the lorry, wash them and be done here. Although i think that will mean everyone is a bit revved and probably wont be the best behaved out of excitement.

I feel horrendous presenting dirty horses and for not having a concrete yard for him to work out of.

Which do you think?
 
They were supposed to be putting a hard standing area with tie rings and hose pipe!... 8 months later!
I don't intend to be there a whole lot longer, or at least not responsible for two. The one I own myself would be fine to bring home if he does stay.
 
My farrier has always said never to wash feet prior to shoeing. Have no idea why. Have googled and this is why;

www.horseandhound.co.uk

Wet, muddy legs — and more of your farrier’s pet hates

1. You’re late for your appointment Farriers have a busy schedule and someone not turning up on time throws it all out. Anyway, being late is just rude and disrespectful. Don’t do it. If you can’t make the appointment and have asked someone at your yard to hold your horse for you while he’s shod, …
www.horseandhound.co.uk www.horseandhound.co.uk

Maybe mud control mats until area is done properly OP?
 
My farrier said that wet legs were slippery, that why he preferred them dry.

Some farriers are understandably leery of trimming out in the open without hardstanding, especially if the weather isn’t great. IME the newer farriers trying to drum up trade will be a lot more forgiving of a less than perfect set up than established farriers with a wait list.

My current farrier (hardly ever use him as trim my own now) will cancel certain clients last minute if it’s wet as there is no shelter there 😳.
 
Yes I totally get the wet legs thing. I always wash a good couple of hours before he is due so they are clean and dry. I will grab a few towells and give them a good clean. I thought i could say to meet me there first so i had them caught and clean but then he has to find a very tucked away field and It could leave me standing holding two horses getting bored and antsy for ages.
Neither horse has any feather to speak of.
 
Tiddlypom said:
My farrier said that wet legs were slippery, that why he preferred them dry.

Some farriers are understandably leery of trimming out in the open without hardstanding, especially if the weather isn’t great. IME the newer farriers trying to drum up trade will be a lot more forgiving of a less than perfect set up than established farriers with a wait list.

My current farrier (hardly ever use him as trim my own now) will cancel certain clients last minute if it’s wet as there is no shelter there 😳.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is another fear! My previous two there were so so good. My old farrier said he'd rather trim them loose in the field than a lot of customers on a yard or stable. However with a bit of a changearound and the fact its blowing a gale and heavyv rain is forcast :oops:

This is my problem with living out horses, its quite hard to do!
 
Given the lateness - presumably if you lorry them home the legs won't be dry anyway - so I would tubigrip / old tights / towel dry and offer coffee

Are they desperate? or could you offer the choice to the new guy - do now in the wet or come back in a week when you can prep more? Usually a week more for a trim in out of work horses isn't a massive deal
Then he can make a decision
 
They are pretty desperate yes. I very weirdly got ghosted by my farrier of 10 years so they are a little over due. I have said that we can leave the ponies at home until another time if he wants. They are fine and my ridden horse is booked in for a set coming up.
No Coffee down there but I always make hot drinks (or offer cold ones ) at home.

Vans loaded with haynets and towells so I can tie one to somethig and hold the one being trimmed. He's text to say running late and will let me know when he's leaving the last job so I may suggest I go there first, send a pin and get going with the mud removal.
 
Polos Mum said:
Given the lateness - presumably if you lorry them home the legs won't be dry anyway - so I would tubigrip / old tights / towel dry and offer coffee

Are they desperate? or could you offer the choice to the new guy - do now in the wet or come back in a week when you can prep more? Usually a week more for a trim in out of work horses isn't a massive deal
Then he can make a decision
Click to expand...
I think they should have been all but dry had i got them back here and washed at about 9am, thereabouts!
This is the problem though, I just don't feel like I can preo more/better with absolutely zero facilities. I've been incredibly lucky sinece renting said field that its been bone dry!
 
I think most farriers are used to those that don't have facilities. My old farrier was very particular that legs had to be clean and dry. New farrier really couldn't care less and just wears gloves for muddy feet. I suppose the old one did train me well, but I now realise he was probably OTT.
 
poiuytrewq said:
They are pretty desperate yes. I very weirdly got ghosted by my farrier of 10 years so they are a little over due. I have said that we can leave the ponies at home until another time if he wants. They are fine and my ridden horse is booked in for a set coming up.
No Coffee down there but I always make hot drinks (or offer cold ones ) at home.

Vans loaded with haynets and towells so I can tie one to somethig and hold the one being trimmed. He's text to say running late and will let me know when he's leaving the last job so I may suggest I go there first, send a pin and get going with the mud removal.
Click to expand...
Let us know how you got on :-)
 
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