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Discussion on "Tipping" the Farrier
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 1:29 pm:
I know this is an old post, but I enjoyed reading it and thought I would post anyway.
My farrier is a Mennonite and I feel it would be inappropriate to tip him. He tells me how much I owe him and I pay him. He is the type who doesn’t require a tip to be prompt or do the best possible job. He has gone up on his prices over the years, but is still cheaper than other farriers in this area. He is very good at what he does as he learned the trade from his father and has been doing it since he was a kid.
Homemade goodies are not an option for me, as the Mennonites are known for their baked goods. Their general stores are even a tourist attraction here. He has gotten older in the past 8 to 10 years so I keep a “chair-in-a-bag” and offer him a seat in-between horses. Sometimes I have to sit down too.
But Mennonites are peculiar breed. He won’t make a standing appointment. I call and leave a message with his wife. He calls me back the night before he is coming out usually 2 weeks after my call. I have to take off work on short notice, meet him at the barn with horses ready and hold them for him. If I can’t make it on the day and time he says, it might be another week or two. I really hate this, but have tried other farriers and always go back. He has two daughters now and a child on the way. I hope this one is a boy so there will be someone to take over his business, as female Mennonites are not permitted to do men’s work.
Imogen, I’m wondering if your farrier is a Mennonite because he sounds a lot like mine except he doesn’t drive a Mercedes.
I CANT BELIEVE YOU FOLKS LOOK AT THEIR BUTS WHEN THEY ARE BENT OVER! I OF COURSE LOOK AWAY AT THE FIRST SIGN OF HIS “FRUIT-OF-THE-LOOMS”.
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 1:52 pm:
Like Imogene, it has never occurred to me to tip my farrier. I've always considered him a professional on the lines of my vet. I do give a holiday bonus and small gift, which he acts a little embarassed to get--sort of "aw..shucks..you don't have to do that."
After reading all this, I wonder if I'm the only one around who doesn't tip! I agree, though that keeping appointments, clean feet, good work area, and paying the bill right away go a long way to keeping him satisfied. Never have trouble getting him for an emergency visit. By the way, he's in the "nice view" category. Wouldn't take the chocolates I offered!
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Member:
Shirl
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 1:58 pm:
Martha, no you're not the only one! I rarely do, as my ferrier, tho very good with my mare, is always late, talks too much, takes too much time, so I figure that's his "tip", me putting up with it!! In the Fruit of the Loom dept., no comment!
Shirl
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 2:31 pm:
I've never tipped any of my farriers and have never heard of anyone up here who does. I have an amazing farrier who is a true artist (he's judged the North American Championships and the World Championships several times and travels all over the world giving clinics). He is expensive but I willingly pay as his work is unbelievable and I know my horse is shod correctly (my gelding is a challenge to shoe as he is massive and a very big mover). He won't do trims so I use another farrier for my broodmares and young stock. I think that they might be offended if I offered a tip - just a guess. As with everyone else, I make sure that they are never kept waiting and that the horses and work area are clean. Can't afford to lose either one of them!
My guess is if I offered a tip he'd be offended.
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Member:
Sross
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 5:39 pm:
I've never tipped my farrier (whom I love and adore) either. The other day he got a message (via his wife) that "Sandy" had called about a horse throwing a shoe. Since I was the only Sandy he could think of, he just came by the barn, checked out the horses, all shoes intact, and went on his merry way. A farrier who shows up even when I don't call! (nice thighs too) 
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 5:52 pm:
Hi I tip $5- $10. only because I am a hairdresser and my horse is barefoot. It is really hard to find someone to come all the way out for a trim. Its my way of giving him an incentive. I dont know if you are supposed to or not.
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Member:
Juliem
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 9:07 pm:
I tip my farrier, but for $120.00 worth of work, usually only about $5.00. He's good to come sooner than scheduled if I need him to, to go by the vet's and look at radiographs if necessary, to come by and put the hoof testers on, etc., with no charge. I feel I probably should be tipping him more actually, like about five or ten percent, but he is one of the higher priced farriers in my area. He doesn't charge me a "farm call" fee, just the cost of the work. A dry, shaded work area and a compliant horse are certainly the owners responsibility.
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 10:44 pm:
Well, I'll continue to tip - the view itself is worth it. And Coleen, DON'T SHOW THIS THREAD TO YOUR MENNONITE FARRIER!!!
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Monday, Jun 23, 2003 - 10:50 pm:
I suspose others like this post as well,as there have been several reponses to an old post. It seems we have all had our experiences with farriers.
As for my experience with farriers, hats off to thoses who have them come out at the DrOp of a hat and when not expected. I wish I were so lucky. Although my farrier is great at what he does, I wish he were more accomidating. All said,
I think we should have a national farriers day (US) to show our apprication. I know I could never do what they do and they sure are great to have when you need them.
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Member:
Roboski
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003 - 8:25 am:
OK,
Since I'm married to a plumber I feel obligated to spring to his defense ; the view is just fine and never any need for "Crack Alert"! And you know, the peeking works both ways. A former farrier always glanced when I picked out feet, LOL! As far as tipping, I do if I think the farrier's gone above and beyond. Like showing up for an emergency at a moment's notice or wresting with my unruly 3 year old. I'd forgotten this thread ; ya'll are crazy!
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Member:
Skye
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 5, 2003 - 10:59 am:
I asked my farrier about tipping; she said if your farrier charges a reasonable rate and does a good job and is punctual, a tip would not offend him or her. If, however, your farrier charges a high fee for excellent work, a tip is not expected. It is, so to speak, built into the high fee and excellent work.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Mar 22, 2004 - 3:41 pm:
I really resent the fact that people are expected to tip for services that the provider is being paid for. It seems there is no end - hair stylist, wait staff, delivery person, bell hop, car wash attendant, and now the farrier?! Everyone seems to have their hand out. My husband shoes our own horses and I know exactly how much it costs to shoe one horse and it is a lot less than what you are being charged.
Holly
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Member:
Rose1
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 1:00 pm:
Holly,
I think this was said above but I'm going to repeat it. One does not tip the owner of a business. Employees should be tipped based on the service and a persons ability to do so.
I'm a good customer, I think. I always call in advance so John can schedule me along with people in my area. I groom my horses the night before. I leave clean dry towels when with weather will be wet. He works in my shed which is dry but just in case. Most important, my check always clears.
My farrier owns his business so I do not tip him.
Regards,
Rose
PS: I also don't tip the guys at the feed store who bring the feed out to your truck. "Those guys take forever!" I thank them politely.
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 1:35 pm:
I think in this day and age, some of the old etiquette rules don't always apply....and I don't know any farriers who DON'T own their business....regardless, I tip when I feel I have received outstanding service. My farrier consistently exceeds the standard and I appreciate it. I don't tip at every visit, but I do tip at Christmas, and he responds with a sincere thank you and continued excellent service throughout the year. He will come to my barn with no one home, trim each of three horses by himself, and then turn them out. He is friendly, prompt, will call me if I forget to call him, and is always professional. I think it's fine to let him know that I appreciate a job well done through tipping. He does too. 
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 6:12 pm:
I don't tip per se, however, if one gives him more trouble than he should, I will pay for an extra trim depending how much extra time he took. He always does a nice job, is patient and that is worth the extra to me once in while. EO
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Monday, Mar 29, 2004 - 8:02 pm:
as i posted above i don't tip BUT.. lately with the gas prices going up.. i have been throwing 'gas' money $10 spot .. he has not raised my costs either..
.. he is going to a new barn to do my horse that is in training... i will have a sandwitch and soda ready for his troubles..and of course extra gas money..
he is always available for me.. when doing the young horses, some of them just need to be 'cleaned up' he does not charge me for that...
we have a good working relationship.. but no tipping? guess you could say i do tip..??
Ann
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 12:15 pm:
My farrier was just here this morning -- 15 minutes early, as always. He's gentle with my horses, patient with my yearling, who likes to try to shake him off. He comes way out to the boonies to just trim. He never cancels. Today my horses weren't "bad" bad, but were more restless than I like. I added $10 as a fine to myself for not preparing my horses better. He demurred, but not with any great conviction. I also give a gift certificate to the tack store or feed store for Christmas.
I don't tip every time, but if he's had extra work due to something I could have prepared for, I feel like I should.
Jerre
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 1:41 pm:
I never have tipped, but after not being able to coordinate a time when we could be there with him, he took it upon himself to just go on his own. What a nice surprise when we showed up to do chores one evening and noticed all 3 horses were trimmed. He didn't have to do that, but he does know our horses well, they are all easy to catch, but even so, we thought that was above the call of duty. I'll tip him happily next time when we pay him for the last service rendered.
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Member:
Rose1
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 1:47 pm:
Terri,
We must agree to disagree on this one.
Ann,
You make an excellent point about gas prices. I normally leave my Farrier a blank check. Next time is one of the few times during the year I will see him. I will add some extra if he does not.
Regards,
Rose
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 2:18 pm:
And that is one of the charming things about this site, that we can agree to disagree.
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