Replacing shoes

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mickey

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I have a fairly new farrier. He has probably visited around 5 times. I think he is pretty good and he came with very good recommendations. However, I am only doing school work with my horse currently ( no hacking/roads), probably only a couple of times a week because our menage has been frozen or flooded.

He has replaced the same shoes at least twice - so they have been on for 3 shoeings. They are quite worn at the front.

I have not encountered repeated replacements like this? I have only had a farrier re-fit perhaps once. Do you think this is taking the p*ss a bit?

I am worried about asking him to put new ones on because he is so moody I think he might stop shoeing my horse.
BTW The price for re-fits and news is the same - £60 a go.
 
I think he is just trying to make some extra money from re-fitting. I have only ever had shoes re-fitted once, and that was when horse was on box rest (and farrier charged less for the price of the shoe).

Otherwise he wears down his shoes so there is no chance to re-fit. And now he likes losing them, so he is getting new shoes every week!
 
That sounds a bit off, if the shoes are getting worn down. I have refits if the shoes are still good and get a discount compared to having a new set of shoes. It's not much though (I pay about £6 less for refits).

Are there other farriers in the area? I would have a polite word with him to see why he has put worn shoes back on (or to ask for a new set), and then if he is moody with you after then I'd look at swapping farriers. I am happy to trust my farrier's professional judgement, but equally, he is always happy to explain his decisions to me. I don't think I could cope with a stroppy farrier!
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Monty was not hacked out on the roads any more and my farrier would often use the same shoes for several shoeings. He would charge me less, but not much (I think about a fiver).

It totally depends whether the shoes are worn down enough to warrant new shoes I guess. However, I would definately try and broach the subject with him if you are concerned. YOU are the customer and have a right to ask about why he is doing things the way he is.

Although unfortunately some farriers don't get this concept so you end up afraid to ask!
 
definately should not be same price for refits - i have refits - as i have eggbars on fronts and as our work is all arena they dont get worn so he refits them twice usually to save me money - he also does back too as they not worn much - new for 2 eggbars, wedges and two normal hinds is £92 refits all round is £52.50.
 
I paid £70 for new shoes and £55 for refits and they were never refitted more than once.

Basically this farrier is taking you for a mug, and belive me you as a coustomer is more important to him than him as your farrier to you.

What puzzles me is he over charges and is moody so why was he recommended?

Just to say my horses are both barefoot now

If I was his customer I'd in a joking manner say "Hey cheer up man wots up"

I would also tell him firmly not to refit ever, if I am paying the same price whether refits or new then I would insist on new shoes every time. I would also be looking for another farrier. at the end of the day your horse is what is important to you.

Also once refits are removed thay will be unevenly worn and putting these back on will not do your horses hoof alignment and good.

Just to add my horses are barefoot now
 
My horse's shoes usually last for 2 shoeings, however this winter he has done so little work because of the weather he has had the same set refitted for a 3rd time. They are getting a bit thin now though, and he will definitely need a new set next time.

But he did ask me in the beginning if I was happy to have refits. Maybe a quiet word with your farrier is needed.
 
My OH's cob has sometimes had replaced shoes twice, and I think once replaced three times. Nothing wrong with that, as long as they are renewed once they start any real wear.
 
QR

I had one farrier for ages, and I don't think he was particularly good. Every time I asked if he could do something to help with my horse's spavin he said no, it was just the way he was. I had tried raised heels on him yrs ago which didn't seem to help - It was only myself using said farrier, and one other livery with 6 horses. She thought that his shoeing had wrecked 2 of her horses that became unsound - though personally I am not so sure about that. I don't think the vet thought the shoeing was A1 though.

When she changed I asked her new farrier to take a look at my horse's feet and he absolutely slated the shoeing. It worried me so much I asked him if he would take my horse on, and he said he had no room. He did put me onto my current (moody) farrier, as apparently this guy used to be an apprentice of his.

The recommending farrier is known for his remedial work. He is well thought of and although I am not an expert I can see that his work looks very good.

I thus thought that the past apprentice would be good. He has done some different things with Mickey's feet/shoes and they do look better. Everyone at the yard has noticed his miserable attitude. Last time I was there I went down the bottom yard and left him at the top. I said he could turn the radio off and when I came back up he had unplugged it. Now given that he is in his late 20s I would have thought it might cheer him up. (A small thing I know, but an indication of his attitude). I asked about re-fits at the beginning and he said they were the same price as news.

I think I will tell him I am going to start roadwork and need a new set. He has come back from NZ recently, doesn't have a big client base, and as I only have 1 horse I do feel that in the past that has reduced my influence with farriers.

I think I find being assertive difficult with some people but I need to broach this. There are 2 other farriers at the yard. Once does most of the horses there and is not known to be the best. Another does a couple, not sure what he is like but might have to do some investigating. I just don't want to keep changing farriers all the time.
 
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