Shoeing question

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Leary

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The farrier on our yard comes out every 5 weeks, as some of the horses cannot go longer than this. I know my cob could go longer as he said she could last time. Trouble is he won't come out on a separate visit as we are out of his catchment, and I don't want to change farriers. I was thinking of asking if she could be shod every other visit, thus making her wait 10 weeks. Am I being unreasonable, just wondered if any other horses go longer than the usual.
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I wouldnt. If she grows a decent amount of foot you would then be looking at putting more pressure on joints in the leg and risking lameness. If you work out the cost difference over a year between having a horse shod every 5 weeks and every 6weeks it is nominal, and a small price to pay for keeping a sound horse
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My horse goes six weeks, once I had to wait for seven weeks instead. This is what happened the day the farrier was due just one week later than usual. The yellow is proflavin cream, he had a fortnights box rest, poulticing and bandaging, antibiotics, then proflavin. They did come right, I reckon that photo was taken a couple of weeks after he had fallen onto his knees downhill on a dual carriageway bridge, skidding a good 5 feet on them and taking them down to the ligament. Thankfully no joint oil was lost. I'm not saying that being a week late with shoeing was the reason - but there's no other reason I can come up with.
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I think 10 wks is too long for the horse to go but i can understand why you would want him to maybe go around 6-8wks as that makes it more copst effective. If the only choice is either 5 or 10 wks i would go for 5wks, may cost a little more but will keep your horse sound and her feet will be in better condition.
 
I probably wouldn't reccomend it, but Chex often goes 10 weeks between farrier visits. His feet grow very slowly, and he has really good feet. I do aim for 8 or 9 weeks though, but if farrier can't make it he easily goes to 10 weeks. But I don't think many horses could handle it, especially if they're used to getting done every 5 weeks.
 
jumping on the back of this post, the second time ive done this today (dunno why, juts cheeky) is there A PROPER way of picking out feet, my OH and i were discussing last night ie front, back, back then front or front, back, front, back - with a view to balance and easier for the horse? we both do it different ways and i hasten to add, my boy behaves better my way but is it the right way? or is there not a right / wrong way!
 
I wouldn't have them done every ten weeks. A one off is slightly different to going ten weeks on a regular basis. Think of the extra strain on joints and ligaments that somewhere along the line will with out a doubt cause some kind of damage.

Can I ask what happens if a horse looses a shoe one week after its been shod? Does it have to wait a month to have it put back on????????

A good farrier will come out when required, even if you are out of the catchment area, ok if its just you he might charge a bit for calll out and I'd expect him to. But if he won't come.... I know what I'd do!!! There's plenty of other good farriers out there. And don't be worried about upsetting him if you change. If you are honest and tell him its because you want your horse shod a bit more regularly if (I say it again!!) he is a good farrier he will understand!

Bit of a long reply I know but farriers are a sore point at the mo lol...
 
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