Trimmer or farrier for barefoot?

Above the snowline said:
Use the best you can find then treat them like gold dust - yummy food, drink and thanks - no foot no horse
Click to expand...
Yes, this! I'm very lucky to have a couple very good, knowledgeable, qualified EP's locally, and I always make sure to provide shelter, a clean working area, a clean horse and lots of cold drinks in the warmer weather!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TPO
I was using a trimmer. Noticed my horse became really footy. Trimmer said it’s because she needed supplements xyz. I didn’t get them before the next visit & she said wow what a difference they had made when she saw us next!
Again was footy after so I asked to go longer between visits.
She said no, stay with trimming every 5 weeks (£48)!
It also took her forever to do them, faffing about with ‘scoring’ the hooves, etc etc.
Asked a farrier on the yard for his opinion & he still won’t touch her feet after 14 weeks. When he turns up every 6-8 weeks, if they don’t need doing he won’t and doesn’t charge for the visit (£35). Horse is so much more comfortable now & doesn't tip toe around at all.

I think you have to go with whoever seems to care more for the comfort of your horse and not the money they make off you which is what I think the trimmer I had was doing.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TPO
I posted a similar query on here a couple of months ago after taking the barefoot route, mainly because I wondered what you got extra considering the price difference of farrier versus podiatrist. I had always thought my farrier was “ok”….he turned up, my horses were sound . they turned up as trio usually and were a bit gung-ho and I never felt I got the dialogue I wanted about their feet. My podiatrist has been twice, she is patient, she shows me and explains what she is doing. She looks at their movement before and after to make sure they are not sore. She has lent me boots and tools to help me in between visits and has recommended me products to clear up thrush and not the expensive ones. She also takes pictures every visit so we can compare . Personally I feel I get more out of her coming than I did my farrier and my horses are certainly happier with her. There are good and bad in every trade for sure but if you can find a good one I feel they are worth it
 
  • Like
Reactions: TPO
Tiddlypom said:
It's whoever does the best job.

I've had awful foot balance from both registered farriers and a registered EPA qualified barefoot trimmer - the only barefoot trimmer that I've used.

You've answered your own question - your trimmer does a better job than your farrier.
Click to expand...

This. I've seen trimmers do a terrible job and I've seen farriers do a terrible job. Equally, I've seem both do a great job. I think it just depends on "who" the person is. Frankly, I now use a trimmer who is expensive BUT made my horse the soundest and happiest he has ever been. IMO the cost is worth it as I otherwise have a relatively useless horse.
 
I pay 55 for a trimmer because none of the cheaper farriers did a good enough job; they didn't even watch the horse move before trimming.

My trimmer explains exactly what she's doing and why, watches my horse move before and after trim, asks if any diet or management changes that might impact feet, takes photos, keeps written records, etc I got none of that from the farriers and they couldn't recognise foot imbalance issues
 
Hormonal Filly said:
My mare has good solid feet and I’m hoping to keep her barefoot.
My trimmer is brilliant but has recently put her prices up to £55 per trim (need every 6 weeks in summer)

My previous farrier is £30 per trim, but I found her back feet weren’t being trimmed evenly.

Do you use a farrier or trimmer? Id like the cost saving of the farrier but want her feet in the best possible shape.

Thanks all
Click to expand...
I have a farrier as one of mine is shod so he does the barefoot too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top