Issues with farrier?

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rforsyth1984

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Well, kind of..?

Im concerned about horses feet. As some of you may remember, he's had a lot of probs recently, bruised soles, abscesses, laminitis, and pedal bone rotation in one hoof.

Im worried his feet don't look right - toes are quite long and he is standing back on the heel, which looks quite low.

I know I am not a farrier, and I dont want to upset my farrier by suggesting he is not doing a good job... he's very reliable and gets on well with my horse, so need some advice on how to broach this?

Also, my instructor agreed with the above but also said my horse could do with lighter shoes - she thinks the ones he has on are quite chunky and heavy, and not really suitable for my daisy-cutter arab?

Have to admit, I didnt even know horse shoes came in different 'styles' - again how can I broach this with farrier without upsetting him?
 
Personally, I'd first get your vet to take a look and see if they agree - hoof problems can quickly deteriorate and are expensive and time consuming to fix. Then vet can give you a plan to sort out the problems and you can take it to your farrier - that way you're not the one doing the criticising!
 
I agree with scotsmare thats exactly what I did.The farrier will then give you some feed back and explain why the toe is long and heel is low.I had the same problem and they worked together to help my horse.
 
Ask the farrier why the heels are low and toes long. I'm always questioning my farrier, he is well used to me now. When you have his answer, talk to the vet, maybe go down the line of xrays etc, and if it comes to it, change farrier. You are paying for a service and if you aren't recieving it adequatly then you are can change.

As for shoes, you can have everything from a hunting weight shoe through to aluminium show plates.
 
you could also approach another farrier , who maybe on the yard visiting someone else, your horse is the most important thing , not upsetting the farrier, do what it takes to put it right.
 
It's important to brave the situation and approach your farrier. Ask for an explanation, maybe he does have his reasons for shoeing like that. Horse feet are vital and complex. Having let one farrier ruin my horses feet because I was too nervous to question I'd never not question now. I moved yards very recently and yesterday the new farrier was due to shoe my horse. I left a very polite but long list of instructions! I may not be a farrier but I know my horses problems and I know what the vet has recommended. Foot problems take only one shoeing to cause and yet can take years to correct.
 
Thank you all for your advice. I have made an appointment with the vet, who is going to come and do a check up on Tuesday, then my farrier is due Tuesday afternoon so I can discuss it with him then.
Im hoping there won't be any problems, my farrier is the most reliable farrier I've ever known and it would be a shame to change. As others have mentioned, there may be a reason my horses feet are the way they are, but at least with the vets opinion behind me I can approach him with well informed questions rather than the old 'my instructor said...' which seems to tick farriers off!
 
Im not a farrier either, but i think you know your horse and if as you say, they dont look right, then i would go with your insincts and ask for advice from the vet,, you pay the farrier for a job, you need to be able to mention things to your farrier without inibition! the length of toe at the moment could be to do with spring grass and sudden growth tho, and he just needs to take feet back a bit!
 
Can I suggest that you take some pics at all angles of your horse's feet ...it helps to see any changes good or bad .... you could always post them on here as I have an unhealthy interest in feet
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