Wet, muddy legs — and more of your farrier’s pet hates

[Tiddlypom]

Wet, muddy legs — and more of your farrier’s pet hates - a slightly tongue in cheek piece in H&H.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/wet-muddy-legs-farriers-pet-hates-598350

Items 1,2,3,4 and 7 are fair enough, that’s just good manners and practice. But items 5 and 6? You’d certainly hope that you could open a dialogue with your farrier about whether barefoot or some sort of remedial shoeing would work for your horse. And has anyone’s farrier suggested that a horse needs to come in at night for the sake of its hooves?


1. You’re late for your appointment

Farriers have a busy schedule and someone not turning up on time throws it all out. Anyway, being late is just rude and disrespectful. Don’t do it. If you can’t make the appointment so someone at your yard is going to be holding your horse for you while he’s shod, make sure they’re clear about what time they’re needed.



2. Your horse is still in the field

See above. If the horse isn’t actually ready to be shod, it’s no different to you being late.



3. Your horse is filthy

OK, so a lot of horses live out, and yes, there’s a slight tendency towards rain and mud in the UK in autumn. So get to the yard ahead of your appointment, brush off your horse’s legs, pick out his feet and wipe them clean with a dry towel. You wouldn’t go to the dentist without cleaning your teeth first, would you? This is no different.



4. Your horse has got wet legs

You may have thought washing the mud off your horse’s legs or giving him a proper bath before shoeing was a good idea — but farrier’s rasps are designed to work on dry feet, and wet hooves can blunt them, plus wet hooves retain moisture so the shoeing isn’t as accurate. And farriers don’t want to have to go to their next client with wet trousers! Again, the soggy British weather has a lot to answer for, but if you’re able to give your farrier a dry horse and a dry area to work with, you’ll soon become his/her favourite client.



5. You’ve read some articles about horse’s hooves and now think you’re an expert

Maybe you’ve read something about how all horses are better off barefoot. Maybe you’re convinced your horse needs remedial shoeing. Good luck with convincing your farrier that any of this is necessary, unless the advice is coming from an expert like your vet. Farrier train for years to get their qualifications, so they should be able to recommend what’s best for your horse’s feet.



6. You’ve completely ignored all the helpful advice you were given at your last appointment

Your farrier thinks it would be better for your horse’s hooves if your horse came in at night instead of living out full-time. You think that’s a great idea — only what with family and work commitments, you wouldn’t actually have time to ride if you did that. So the horse stays out, and your farrier gets grumpier. Smile a lot, offer to make him/her loads of cups of tea, and change the subject every time it comes up. Or if you’re serious about improving your horse’s hooves, act on his suggestions before he comes next time.



7. Your horse has just kicked him or trod on his/her foot.

The first time your horse does this, most farriers will probably groan a bit and then get on with their job, while you apologise profusely. But if it happens repeatedly, then it’s time for you as the owner to work on your horse’s manners and/or confidence as appropriate. It’s not the farrier’s job to train your horse to stand politely to be worked on. And if your horse won’t do so, then you may find yourself looking for a new farrier…

 

[oldie48]

I've got a great farrier so most of my knowledge of hooves and shoeing comes from him anyway as he's been my farrier for almost all the time I've owned horses and he loves to share his knowledge. I see him as part of the team along with my vet, physio and trainer and we always have a chat about the feet before he shoes, if he gives me advice I try to take it. He is very expensive though but worth it!

 

[dogatemysalad]

I think the list is reasonable. It's just good manners to present a horse with clean legs and feet on time. I'd also add, that farriers should be offered a flat, lit area to work in and shelter during bad weather. Even the best farrier is challenged to shoe a horse on a dark, stormy night whilst bent double for an hour.

I welcome a farriers professional advice, but its a two way conversation. Fortunately, even the most brusk farrier, has listened to my part of the conversation. Advice is only good when it fits the horse, it's work, environment and the owners circumstances.
As customers, we have a choice to use the farrier or find someone else. It must be so frustrating for them to find that sound advice is ignored because the owner isn't committed or has read some piece on social media and doesn't know if that advice is correct or can be applied to their situation.

 

[Summit]

I think I’m quite respectful of my farrier’s needs. I try and ensure my horses get and legs are as clean as possible, however I think if a horse treads on the farrier’s foot, that’s such unfortunate sometimes.

I think the worse thing which contributes to lateness for the farrier if someone on a yard wants to squeeze in another horse for shoeing

 

[meleeka]

I think it’s just good manners too. My Farrier has a client that insists on giving the horse its breakfast after she’s caught it, so he’s left standing their waiting for the horse to eat (after waiting for it to be caught). She may well be an ex client now as he wasn’t happy!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

And has anyone’s farrier suggested that a horse needs to come in at night for the sake of its hooves?

Oh yes, I had that one. Unsurprisingly it was the farrier i sacked because he was crap. Other things he believed included the delusion that a horse with any TB blood just had bad hooves and definitely wouldn't cope without shoes (even in the field) oh and that he had done a great job despite causing her hooves to go under-run with super long toes.

I am not an expert but even I could see what his four plus years of training couldn't see. I just wish I'd sacked him sooner.

 

[ihatework]

I’m just buttering mine up as he has 2 minimally handled yearlings in desperate need. I’ve given him a fortnights grace whilst I get them in a slightly more compliant state ?

 

[Green Bean]

My farrier is great. My mare doesn’t like being tied up or stand still for him. I installed cross ties to assist and went to the yard when it was her turn to make sure she behaved. Dean has been so patient with her, and she is so much better with a bit of patience. A good farrier is worth his weight in gold!

 

[paddy555]

Wet, muddy legs — and more of your farrier’s pet hates - a slightly tongue in cheek piece in H&H.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/wet-muddy-legs-farriers-pet-hates-598350


5. You’ve read some articles about horse’s hooves and now think you’re an expert

Farrier train for years to get their qualifications, so they should be able to recommend what’s best for your horse’s feet.

so no long toes, low heels running forward, no foot clamped into a shoe to make the foot/leg straight then. No effective complaints procedures about the quality of farrier's work. Of course not we don't need them, they have after all trained for years so perfection can be guaranteed.

In fact fleabags feet on the horse tripped thread in veterinary could be considered an excellent job by a well qualified farrier.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I suppose 5 and 6 would make sense if you could trust all farriers to do a good professional job that works in the best interest of the horse....

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’m just buttering mine up as he has 2 minimally handled yearlings in desperate need. I’ve given him a fortnights grace whilst I get them in a slightly more compliant state ?

That’s rather sad, ihw. You’d have thought that two lovely well bred fillies like yours would have already been well trained for the farrier, and indeed would not have left their homes in imminent need of a trim.

 

[ihatework]

That’s rather sad, ihw. You’d have thought that two lovely well bred fillies like yours would have already been well trained for the farrier, and indeed would not have left their homes in imminent need of a trim.

Its fine. I’d much rather they had the right equine socialisation than been overdone by humans. Sometimes difficult to get the balance right! To be honest having seen how a lot run out at various studs this is par for the course.

 

[ShadowHunter]

Yes, I've had my farrier recommend that the horses stay in as it's ''better for the feet'' - Not happening.
I would also add, that usually its the farrier that isn't on time rather than myself.

 

[Goldenstar]

Me too I am well in credit in the kept waiting account