What do you expect from a farrier?

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BarbieHorse

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As per title really, just musing over what people would consider that a decent farrier should do. I previously had an excellent farrier, have recently bought a new horse and have had him shod twice using a different farrier (who is used by new YO). This guy is cheaper than my previous farrier and more local so easier to get hold of BUT having given him a chance I've decided to revert to previous farrier as I believe he is much more professional and despite being a fair bit more expensive offers considerably better value for money.
So, what do you expect from a farrier (other than the horse having a new set of shoes on its feet obviously!)
 
I expect a professional who is good at the job (obviously), pretty good time keeping -within reason, I understand that the very nature of horses can mean that times are rarely stuck to religiously- and easy to get hold of. Also, I like a farrier who explains things in a way that the owner understands.

My farrier has done my horses for 25 years and I have thrown some weird and wonderful feet at him and he's always come up with the goods. He doesn't force everyone to shoe horses and has actively encouraged me to keep the Diva barefoot. But what I really love is he takes the to explain what he is doing and why. When we were trying to get the hooligans feet sorted, he talked me through everything, so I knew exactly why he was shoeing him the way he was. He also is realistic and works with the individual horse. We knew we couldn't keep bars on the hooligan because they were coming off every week due to his field antics, so we found a different way.
 
I am lucky to have an absolutely wonderful farrier (the last one was too).

I expect my farrier to keep my horse comfortable and sound for what I do with her (i.e. not a one shoe fits all type of farrier), I need to have complete trust that my horse will be treated kindly and with respect as I am rarely there at the time of shoeing, and I need reliability (i.e. regular six week appointments on the same day of the week).
 
I expect a farrier to watch my horse walked and trotted up in-hand; to assess any changes in his gait, his posture and his musculature as well as shape and condition of feet etc. If we are working on a rehab I would expect the horse to be filmed. I expect to be asked for any issues encountered in the preceding 5 weeks and what my work plan is going forwards. Also, if I have any input from any other professionals I use - eg physio, trainers.

I expect the farrier to be proactive and not just reactive and to be able to explain to me what and why he is doing something.
 
agree totally with gunnergundog, but how many do these things, who is teaching these people? why is is it that horse owners now seem to know more about farriery than the farriers a lot of the time.
 
I think I'm one of the lucky ones that has one that ticks all of my boxes:
Easy to get hold of
Always on time (or lets me know if he's not going to be, once in a blue moon)
Explains what he's doing and why (not like a running commentary, but if asked or I comment)
Happy for shoes on/off at my wishes (with advice if not right)
And I think underprices himself!
 
I expect good communication, able to be reached by phone within half a working day and turns up when they say they will (within reason of an hour or so) unless they have let you know of a problem.
I expect to be treated well (spoken to like a human not a minion) and my opinions and issues listened to. That's not to say I know it all but if I've spotted something going on with my horse I want his thoughts and feedback. If I ask questions I like to be given a reasoned answer. A bit of friendly chit chat goes a long way too.
I expect my horse to be sound and comfortable and shod according to his individual requirements. I expect the feet to still be in fairly good shape as we come to the end of his cycle: not regular, multiple loose shoes 4 weeks in to a 6 week cycle - I don't mean never losing a shoe but I would question shoes coming off left, right and centre which a previous farrier had with me.
In return I offer a polite horse with fairly clean lower legs, i.e. not caked in wet mud or oiled feather, and I always pay promptly either by leaving a cheque or transferring money on the same or following day.
 
i had a very good young farrier who always trotted the horses up before working on them........but he was french and also shod horses for the world champion of showjumping
 
Thanks all! It was the trotting up bit I was really wondering about - previous farrier did it and he was fab. The new guy clearly didn't bother which I wasn't too happy about. I also specifically arranged for him to come up on a day I was there the first time he came (it was also the horse's first set of shoes). He knew I wanted to be there and we had an agreed time - but then he went up early and called me after to tell me he'd done it. I gave him the benefit of the doubt but then the next time he was due up he was sick so sent someone else who clearly couldn't deal with the horse on his own and will be sent on his merry way if he comes near the yard again (the less said about him the better really!). So back to my original farrier I think - he's amazing but very in demand and lives several hours away so he's not great in an emergency but probably worth the hassle I think!
 
I've never known ANY farrier ever trot up in all my years of horse-keeping. Not ever.

I've stuck with my current farrier through three horses now: I respect his opinion and would ask him in the first instance if I was worried about any "footy" issue. He's now got his son coming alongside and doing farriery training too; recently when I lost a shoe, I rang him in the morning, and shoe was replaced by the evening. That's pretty damn good I reckon!

Added to that, he's an expert in culinary matters, knows which sauce for which bird, and is an expert on the right wine to boot!

A truly invaluable individual. Dunno how I'd cope without him ;-)
 
I used a farrier for 17 years - my yard owner recommended him when I moved to Gloucestershire 19 years ago, and I never had any reason to change. I am a pleb horse owner who doesn't 100% understand what he does and why he does it, but I trust him 100% and when I had a horse with navicular the feedback from the specialist veterinary hospital and from Liphook was that the horse could not be better shod.

I have just got him back for my current horse - I know he will be reliable, turn up when he says he will, shoe my horse to the best of his fantastic ability (his brother shoes for Olympic teams and Carl Hester, my farrier is just as good without being 'famous'), I am truly delighted :)
 
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