Sorry RANT! &Farrier recommendations in Notts/Leic area please!!

[KatB]

Finally had enough with current farrier, my horse has been fine to shoe for 8mnths down in Glos, and never got a murmur out of him. He was shod by my farrier back in Notts for the second time since i've been back yesterday, and, unfortunately I was at work and couldnt get the time off, but trusted yard member was there.
She heard a scuffle of feet, so kept eye on him, but didnt hear raised voice, and farrier didnt ask for help, so she presumed was ok. She went to pay farrier, and as he left, noticed he had tied the leadrope on to my boys headcollar, so obviously hadnt worked out the "quick release" fastening, and had a prob at some stage. She then went into his stable to turn him out, and he dived to the back of the stable, and wouldnt let her put his headcollar on, VERY unlike him.

Could be jumping to conclusions, but to me that suggests he was smacked about a bit?! I'm now kicking myself I wasnt there, but FURIOUS that I cant trust a farrier to ask for help if he's having probs when there is someone on the yard who had spoken to him, so he knew was there if need be!

Then to top it off, I got down there last night, and realised his front feet are different sizes!! GRRRRRRR!!! Sorry, but so annoyed!! Sooooo.....

Anyone know of any good farriers??!!

And sorry for long one, well done if got this far!!

 

[katelarge]

I use Stephen Hill who is based in Leicestershire. My horse had issues with a bad-tempered farrier in the past but is good with Stephen, who is very quiet. He is also really prepared to put the work in - when my horse needed heart-bars, Stephen tried three times to make heartbars (from scratch), on the yard. It took him hours to admit defeat and even then he had a plan in place, and put in gel fog supports which are just as great - the vet was really pleased. Would certainly recommend him for a horse with possible farrier issues. Another thought is to try and find a feamle farrier? That was my plan b for my horse, but Stephen has worked out well. He is not the cheapest farrier though!

 

[KatB]

Thanks for that, thats what annoys me is my horse isnt bad with the farrier, he just doesnt like being bumoed around, understandably!! Thanks for that, need a farrier who does specialised shoeing as a friend is loooking to move to.....Will certainly look at contacting him! Where in Leics is he based? PM me if you prefer

 

[filly190]

A similar thing happened to my horse. She was shod whilst I was not there and the next time was terrible to be shod. I had been on holiday and she needed doing, friend phoned the wrong farrier etc etc.

It has taken nearly 8 months to get her right, dozens of acp's and now just down to bucket feeding her and next time hopefully we will be ok.

I do think when a horse is shod and a familar person holds it (owner) they relax and behave. Quite often you will find the same horse reacts differently to strange people around it and needs the reassurance of a friendly face.

This farrier may have thought "bloody hell, its playing me up and been a little rough", because the horse has always stood for him in the past.

I would have him back, be there and ask him nicely what happened, then at least you can repair any damage. It may just be a case of what I mentioned.

For example my other horse is excellent with the dentist, so one day I could'nt be there and asked my husband. This horse played them both up to the extent that she could'nt be done. I spoke to dentist and husband about this, and the conclusion was that "mummy" was'nt there. Rebooked dentist, horse stood, good as gold.

 

[KatB]

Oh i agree about the owner being there, but I've been on a yard working for the last 8 mnths and my horse has ALWAYS just stood there, without me being there, just got tied up and left alone, then one of us would collect him when farrier was done. So he's never been nannied when been shod.

I think the problem is the farrier has preconceptions of my horse, as when I first got him and they shod him, he was naughty, but only because he hadnt been shod before! Their boss used to shoe him after that, and he was fine, but since ive come back from Glos, the farrier who had probs with him when I first got him is shoeing him, and still thinks of him as he was I think. Unfortunately, his boss has retired, so only the lads with bad view about him come out now...

 

[OWLIE185]

You are very lucky that your farrier will shoe him without someone being in attendance as my farrier told me that their insurance stipulates that the horses owner or an appointed person must always be present when they are shoeing.

This is for several reasons.

 

[KatB]

Oh I can understand this, and there WAS someone who know the horse and farrier on the yard, she just wasnt watching his every move. Thats what annoyes me, there WAS someone who could have helped him if he was having problems!!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

there are a couple in the south leics area I would recommend, John Dillon, who has horses himself and is very quiet and very good. Adrian Middleton is also very good, he does my lad and all of YO's with no problem.

 

[ru-fi-do]

I've PM'd you..........

 

[ginniebee]

I used to keep my horses in leics and used Tim Allen for years, I cant reccomend him highly enough, If you look through the farriers register (not sure of web site address but am sure someone on here will) Im sure youll find someone in your area.