New farrier, shoes too small

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Event_girl

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About 4 weeks ago had a new farrier out to see my horse. Everything seemed fine, but now her front shoes look way too small for her feet. The hoof wall has started growing down the side of the shoes.

She is not lame but I will be calling him first thing tomorrow to get him back out ASAP.

Would you continue using this farrier and give him another chance? And would you pay him to correct his mistake?
 
Honestly ? i wouldn't let him touch my horse again, and when he turns up, i'd be demanding an explanation and a possibly refund.
 
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Why is it his mistake? Horses hooves grow, this is the first time he's shod your horse, he is not familar with his hoof growth etc.
Your horse is sound and fine, he's outgrown his shoes, its summer feet grow faster. My boy is shod every five weeks in the summer due to the fact his feet grow faster when out on the good grass....
 
No-one can really say without seeing a photo and knowing the history of the horse, so don't panic - it might indeed be that your horse grows lots of hoof, especially as spring/early summer horses do grow more than at other times of year, and he may well have trimmed only gently for various reasons.

There are lots of horses out there, and not so many farriers. I would phone up and be polite, explain the problem, and ask if he would pop out to reassure you.

As others have said, if your horse is sound, it's not urgent, and if you kick up a fuss without checking first with him, you are going to find yourself without a farrier! Most of them are friends and trade stories down the pub about tricky customers (not saying you are one, but you don't want to get that reputation), so don't burn your bridges :)
 
shysmum said:
at the end of the day, you know your horse and her feet - does that make it easier ?? :D
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Well exactly! Personally I would take a look at the job your farrier has done, when he comes out say ''her feet seem to of grown far faster this time round'' he'll realise he can trim a fair more bit off than he did previously. If my farrier trimmed the same amount of hoof off my old tb as he does Buddy he'd off crippled him simpily because the tb's hooves barely grew between shoeings and Bud's grow very fast.
 
She is usually done every 6 weeks, but has recently been on very good grazing - would that explain the hoof growth then?

I am not one to kick up a fuss, if anything I am too polite! I am however one to panic, and seeing my horses feet like this has worried me. I will phone tomorrow, explain the situation and see what he says.
 
Yup do that, but be polite and considerate. Its all too easy to pee off these voilatile men :rolleyes: not saying you should never question the job they do (we pay enough) but be diplomatic! :p

I'm sure its just a case of hoof growth, if she had been shod a day then the shoes may well be too small however four weeks is a diff matter.
 
Yes I can do tomorrow.

The reason I was more concerned is that the hoof has over grown one side of the shoe, but not the other side, if that makes sense? I will try get a picture tomorrow.
 
It it impossible to tell on a forum if the farrier has done a good job or not, without any photos or any real details.

Why not just call him back out and ask him about the foot looking like it has grown more than expected past the shoe, let him have a look and if he takes your comments on board, let him re-shoe and then re-evaluate in 5-6 weeks time.

I always think there should be healthy dialogue between horse owner and professional- it is much better for the horse :)
 
Oh no well prob not both, who knows, shoes are a minefeild. Its so difficult, I thinking speaking for the average owner we're not trained so really apart from the cosmetic basics we cant tell if the farriers done a top notch job or not. Speak to your farrier i'm sure he'll put your mind to rest xx
 
Buds_mum said:
Oh no well prob not both, who knows, shoes are a minefeild. Its so difficult, I thinking speaking for the average owner we're not trained so really apart from the cosmetic basics we cant tell if the farriers done a top notch job or not. Speak to your farrier i'm sure he'll put your mind to rest xx
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Yes I agree. Thank you.
 
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