Watched farrier yesterday - is this wrong ?

[Shysmum]

Watching a horse being shod (I always like to glance over while chatting to the farrier), he was nailing on a shoe that was actually going into the frog by a centimeter or so... i thought shoes that fit have a few centimeters of excess metal coming off the back to allow for growth

Does this mean the shoe was too small ? It certainly looked like it was not quite right.

Just curious. Shy is BF btw - thank god watching that.

 

[Gloi]

There may have been a reason for what he was doing, if you were chatting to him why not ask him.

 

[Baggybreeches]

There may have been a reason for what he was doing, if you were chatting to him why not ask him.

This^^^ it would be silly for us to speculate on the why's and wherefores of what the farrier did when we only have your description, I would have asked him and got the proper explanation rather than post on here and get a speculative answer?

 

[sally2]

Dont be frightened to ask what he is doing if he is a good farrier he will be happy to tell you.

 

[Shysmum]

thanks for the replies. i will ask next time.

 

[joosie]

I agree you should have just asked him at the time, but it's not always that easy is it? Sometimes you worry that people will think you are questioning their abilities & get defensive with you. The reality though is that any professional worth their salt (be it a farrier, osteo, saddle fitter, vet etc) can accept questions in a positive way and take the time to answer them.

 

[katymay]

I always chat to my farrier about what he is doing, especially if its something on the hoof I havent seen before, i.e bruising and seedy toe on a little Lami (who we have successfully through diet, xrays and trimming made him completely sound!)
and the boys new pony who has flares on his fores, he takes the time to explain anything I ask and offers good advice, both are barefoot and he never pushes me to have them shod!

think it makes them feel important!

 

[LucyPriory]

nailing on a shoe that was actually going into the frog by a centimeter or so....

I agree that it's a good idea to ask. But rather worried by the above. Shoes shouldn't interfere with the frog at all.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

My farrier gives me a running commentary whilst trimming my horses, he likes me to know exactly what he is doing and why.

 

[googol]

My farrier explains exactly what he's doing when I ask too. But If I ask him generic questions that he knows / thinks I'm applying to other horses/farriers he refuses to comment as he says he doesn't know why the farrier wud b doing it as he doesn't have the full story / situation! So def don't think anyone cud comment on the Internet unless its completely wrong in black and white! Best to ask as u have said u will! Wud b interested to hear what he says

 

[SO1]

I can't imagine how he could do that - i am presuming you mean the frog being the triangle shaped thing in the middle of the hoof. I think without seeing it is hard to imagine what you mean.

My farrier is always happy to answer any questions about what he is doing he seems pleased that I am taking an interest in his work and wanting to understand more about what he does. Maybe you could ask in a nice way if he see him doing it again or maybe ask the owner of the horse as it might be that the farrier is doing something remedial or special just to suit the circumstances of that horse?