Unhappy with farrier?

dwi

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If your current farrier was leaving your horse long in the toe and out of balance would you say something or just change your farrier? Feel like I shouldn't have to be telling the farrier his job but almost the whole yard use this farrier and they all think he's fine.
 

sea_view

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Tell the farrier - my new farrier shoes differently to what I was used to with my farrier of 18years who retired and I asked him about it, he explained and I said I preferred shorter toe etc and he said no probs and changed the way he shoes mine
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dwi

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Should I have to tell the farrier that he's trimmed her feet so that they don't match? They were noticeably different.
 

TelH

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I have a different farrier to everyone else on my yard. Had the same one when I first moved there but I wasn't happy with what he did so changed to one who does a really great job. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone calls me behind my back for it
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but at the end of the day you have to do what is best for your horse.
 

sea_view

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I would speak to him and say that she seemed unbalanced and when you looked closely you wondered if her feet semed slightly different sizes see what he says. I'd give him another go if you're happy with his answer and if not change - horse comes first
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ladyearl

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Speak to him directly. Like all things it's better to have them out in the open. He may have a reason why he thinks that she should be shod/have feet trimmed in that way. You need to give him the feedback that it's not working. In my experience farriers don't mind discussing things with owners in fact they welcome it.
 

Jane_Lou

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I would talk to him and outline your concerns, there may be a very good reason why he is trimming your horse in this way.
Do talk to him though - I once left it until a pony went lame, x-rays confirmed poor foot balance - even then I chickened out and just used a farrier recommended by the vet!
I recently had concerns about the way B's feet were, I talked to the farrier and he explained what was happening with his feet (low growth rate), we came up with a plan of action and his feet are now perfect.
Farrier are not always the most communicative of people, if you don't ask, they wont always say anything!
 

TheFarrier

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Second little Donkey.

Talk to the farrier. Maybe the toes are not long they just appear that way, when we shoe we take into consideration a lot more than just toe length. If you spoke to him you may get the real story but if you just change you will never know.

Maybe there is an issue with one foot that it apears larger perhaps it flaired a little or the farrier is in the middle of correcting a defect etc all these things take time. Your horse may have always had one foot slightly bigger this is very common and perhpas you have noticed it now for some reason

If you are unhappy with the toes talk to him about it and if its possible i am sure he will be willing to make the toes shorter. I doubt he wants to loose a client over toe lenght and we are people at the end of the day just talk to us!
 

LizScott

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I'd be very wary of "telling" a farrier his job tbh! Unless you have extensive experience yourself, I think you'd be far better off asking why your horses feet are the way they are.

Did you read the article in H&H a few weeks ago about farrier? It talked about different front feet and the reasons for treating them as individual feet rather than trying to make them both look the same.

My mare has slightly odd front feet and in the past they have been trimmed to look the same. I actually changed farriers because people were telling me that her toes were too long, feet not a pair etc but she ended up lame and I had to crawl back to my lovely farrier who explained reasons for the way she was shod. I will never ever do that again and would always talk to my farrier before listening to others.
 

Zippydoodles

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Ask him! It really is the best way to sort queries out. Next time he comes simply say you've noticed her front feet are different shapes and why does he think it is, could it be her conformation? this way he won't feel you are criticising or questioning his work and will probably be more forthcoming in his answers.
 
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