Re the Navicular/farriery post

Kat

Kat

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I've just read the I don't want a cure for navicular post with interest, I'm currently looking to buy my first horse, and it got me thinking about whether I'd know whether a farrier was doing a good job or not.

I'm sure many hobby owners follow every word their farrier says simply because they are the professional and therefore they must know best. After all is a single horse owner really going to feel confident to question the decision making of an experienced professional, and if the farrier answers their questions and reassures them at what stage do they think they should get a second opinion? If they do get a second opinion how do they know which farrier is "right"?

I completely support what the posters said on that thread about standards and CPD, I think that is the same for all professions.

But I wonder if some of the knowledgeable people from that thread could post an "idiot's guide" to horse's feet and farriery. Maybe including some photos of good and bad feet and shoes. Maybe highlighting things to look out for and "red flag signs".

Hopefully this could be a good resource for owners, so that they can have more confidence when dealing with their farrier and will give them the tools they need to be able to vote with their feet and support the excellent farriers. If the public become more discerning this should help drive up standards effectively as poor farriers will find it harder to stay in business.

Thanks!
 
I understand your point about who can you trust? This is my farriers' site, which was set up eapecially to try and educate owners and riders about hoof care and how it affects the horses way of going. You will find articles which include examples of well and not so well shod feet and explanations of the reasons why he does things the way he does:

www.equinefootprotection.co.uk

Hope it helps you.

I think ALL horse owners need to start asking more questions of their farriers / trimmers. If they have changed the way they are shoeing your horse or you are not sure of why they are doing what they are doing ask and if they can't (or won't!) give you a sensible answer then think about going else where. As a paying customer you have the right to understand what you are paying for.
 
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sally2008 said:
I understand your point about who can you trust? This is my farriers' site, which was set up eapecially to try and educate owners and riders about hoof care and how it affects the horses way of going. You will find articles which include examples of well and not so well shod feet and explanations of the reasons why he does things the way he does:

www.equinefootprotection.co.uk

Hope it helps you.

I think ALL horse owners need to start asking more questions of their farriers / trimmers. If they have changed the way they are shoeing your horse or you are not sure of why they are doing what they are doing ask and if they can't (or won't!) give you a sensible answer then think about going else where. As a paying customer you have the right to understand what you are paying for.
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Great post, and I like your farrier's website too. If all farriers worked like this there wouldn't be a barefoot movement!!
 
I am very lucky to have such a good farrier and I know it! My horses feet feature in the "De-mystifying Hoof Mapping and the Barefoot Trim" article. :)
 
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It was a farrier 'of good repute' that got me going barefoot in the first place. I was later to realise that he was terrible at trimming, which is why I had to learn how to DIY - I really didn't have an alternative.

In some ways I thank this guy who also hit my horse in the face for no reason at all. I was forced to learn a heck of a lot and I've never regretted it.
 
I have to agree with Lucy - I had exactly the same experience with a range of farriers.

My last farrier before I got sensible and ditched the shoes was a great guy and did a concientious job - very knowledgeable and a good horseman - he bred gorgeous TB's

So good and bad in all professions I guess.

Now I do two of them myself - honestly there is no great mystique in doing it, and it's all part of how I care for my horses. I use a trimmer for a couple because they are special cases, and I need collaboration on them.

Many more owners could do this - if they were motivated to learn. It's really not hugely difficult to learn.
 
It's a tough one and the same point applies to vets - perhaps to an even greater extent as their remit is so much wider.

Personally as a trimmer who is out and about in the horse world I encourage my clients to ask as many questions as they want. My service does not begin and end in the hour or so I spend with them trimmng their horse. I am always at the end of the email or phone and I make this very clear to clients. I also explain what I'm doing and why when I'm trimming, point out anything that might have changed in their horse's feet since the last trim, tell them things they need to be looking out for. I also invite anyone - client, potential client, or just anyone interested - to watch me trim and to come and see my own horses. And I like to think the fact that I'm out competing on my own horses is a good advert that if they are healthy, sound and performing I must be doing something right!

There should be more openess from professionals. Far too many answer questions with a grunt or a shrug but equally it is up to the owners to ask questions of the professional. Keep asking questions and if you don't get the answers or don't like the answers then it is your choice to go elsewhere.
 
I became an Equine Podiatrist because I wanted to learn more about why my horses feet were going wrong. There way no other way to learn the in depth knowledge I needed. Reading is one thing but I wanted to learn in a hands on way, I didn't want to become a farrier, so this was the only way to learn.

5 years later, I'm glad I did, and finally I'm finding that I'm no longer seen as the weirdo in the equine community, the complete reverse, now I'm finding people coming to me for help with their horses without advertising my skills. I think the whole communication and support that "barefoot trimmers" offer versus most farriers is so crucial in why we're successful. It takes time and while farriers only charge £20 for their trim, they can't spend hours talking to owners about environment, nutrition, exercise, boots, hoof hygiene etc.

Great farriers have no need to fear barefoot trimmers IMO.
 
i had farriers trim my horses feet, they seemed ok at first but then i noticed they would go footy without any reason so i use a barefoot trimmer now and she has done great with my horse, she is always on the end of the phone, email or even on FB. she is passionate about her job and takes pride in it.
i've noticed more and more farriers are just doing it as a job rather than because 'it's in their blood' or because they want to help horses! not all are like that, i do know a couple of really good farriers but unfortunately they aren't in my area anymore!
 
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