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  Discussion on FARRIERS
Author Message
Member:
Kcovell

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 5:30 am:

I have been using the same farrier for seventeen years.
In the begining there were times he would not show up or call when we had an appointment. I would call him again and he'd show up.
Over the years, and he agrees I've put up with alot from him we have become friends. I've also become friends with his wife who also barrel races.
Recently he has started calling me to reschedule appointments and it's getting a litte old.
I have a horse that has been nerved on a front foot and he knows what needs to be done when she is trimmed, so I am afraid to find someone else. Over the years he's taught me alot aboout what the foot should look like and how the nails should be placed.
Some of my friends have had bad things happen when they changed farriers.
I've about decied to change, but I'd like to know if there are any questions I should ask or if going to a farrier school is a big factor in how good a farrier will be, etc.
I anyone has any ideas please let me know.
I know since I've known him so long I should just talk to him, but he knows how I feel when he does this so I don't see any point in talking to him.
KC
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 10:43 am:

It's my opinion that if you have a good farrier who is familiar with your horses and knows their problems and how to treat them, he is worth his weight in gold. I'd talk to him about this. Maybe there is a reason, or maybe he doesn't realize it's a problem for you, even though you think he does. Does he charge you the same as he charges his other clients? Are you always there when he comes? Pay him after each visit? I'd just make sure there aren't any problems on your end, then try and work this out with him.

It's also my opinion that school is necessary for a farrier, as that is where they learn a good foundation for their trade. They need to be familiar with the insides of the hoof and leg, and be familiar with conformation issues as that all plays into trimming and shoeing. Then, they need to spend a lot of time working on a lot of different feet with an experienced farrier before they really know what they are doing.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 10:49 am:

I will add my two cents here too.. I agree with Sara on asking what is going on with the farrier, and yes ask yourself if I am following all the rules too.. making it a good environment for a farrier to WANT to come back to etc...

not only is a farrier school education a must , but also, i feel they need to continue with the education, so going to the farrier workshops etc that are conducted is a MUST.. there is always new and improved info out there re are horses the farrier HAS to stay on top of it..

good luck.. without a good farrier we have NO horse...


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted the good ones!


Member:
Kcovell

Posted on Saturday, Oct 9, 2004 - 5:58 pm:

Hey Sara & Ann
What you both said is how I've felt for the past years, but don't you think sometime things need to change.
I have to take off work when he is coming, so if he does not let me know in time I just lost a days vacation and he know this. I try and call him a couple of days in advance just to make sure he is coming, but I don't always get a return call.
I've always paid him before he left, he has a covered barn with electricity to work in, when his kids were young I'd let them go in the house and watch tv, etc. I really don't think the problem is on my end.
He trains dogs and competes in events with them. They are squirrel dogs and he also hunts. I have noticed that when he has cancelled and then shows up the next time he tells me about what he has been doing with the dogs and it seems it is usually when he was supposed to be here.
As for what he charges me he used to tell me he charged me less because of all I've put up with, but today (when I was asking a friend about a horseshoer) I found that he charges more than most, or so it seems ($190.00 seems to be the going rate for what I have done).
I have 1 horse that gets all 4 feet shod, 2 that get the front feet shod, and on that gets trimmed all for $230.00.
All my horses are well behaved and give him no trouble and I stand a hold them while he works. He has told me that several of his clients sit in chairs, but I think that could be dangerous.
Since I have to have my barrel mare done before next Sat. I made an appointment with a friends shoer, but I will be interested to see if my regular one calls this week and in the future I will continue to use him, probably.

KC
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Sunday, Oct 10, 2004 - 2:34 am:

Try setting up the next shoeing appointment while he is right there doing your horse.
Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 8:59 am:

KC
If your happy with his work Keep him. I have a similar situation. I dont know if its a factor, but my farrier is a minnonite. I call and leave a message on the machine or talk to his wife. It can be 2 days to 2 weeks before he returns my call to tell me he will be there the next day. (It is a good thing I have an understanding boss). That is just the way he does business. He is always there when he says, but its when he says. I got tired of it once and got a different farrier. A big mistake. I went back to my original farrier. I have never had any problems with his work. He is good with my horses and cheaper than the other "farriers" I used. He learned his trade from his father and never went to farrier school. He stays very busy and quit taking new customers years ago. I wish he would have a few sons soon so I will have a farrier whe he retires (he has daughters, but it is forbidden for them to do mens work)
Colleen
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 10:13 am:

I agree with the others. I have learned the hard way that "if it's not broke...do NOT try to fix it."

Talk to him first. Good Luck!
Member:
Thomboy

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 11:06 am:

I had a similar problem (though my farrier was active duty military during the big deployment to Iraq). However, the attention my horses need does not necessarily work on a schedule. (I have 24 and it seems like one is ALWAYS needing something). Anyway, if Arnold missed a scheduled appointment and the horses were getting desperate, I would simply ask Arnold who he wanted to come fill in for him; who did he feel comfortable "cleaning up after." I would call his recommendation and get them out. Low and behold, Arnold would ALWAYS be able to break free and come help get everyone taken care of. There have been several times that I have had 2 farriers out here working at the same time. I am not suggesting that you need that, but asking your farrier's recommendation for the needed work may just drive the point home.
Member:
Lhenning

Posted on Monday, Oct 11, 2004 - 2:59 pm:

Great idea Melissa! A little tricky, but effective.

Another thought, can you get him to be more accomodating to your schedule and set up your appointments when you are off work? That way you won't be wasting vacation time for a no-show.

Linda
Member:
Christos

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 - 9:27 am:

Excellent tactics, Melissa !
Member:
Kcovell

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 - 3:05 am:

All of you have great ideas, but after 17 years I've tried them and others.
He doesn't come on weekends and he can't come at 3 when I get off because his wife works and he has to pick up their son. Apparently he doesn't really want to come after 3 because during the summer he brings his son with him.
As of today I have not heard from him and I don't expect to, he tends to forget things.
In the past he has also called me on the day he was to come and asked if we could reschedule because another client called him and needed their horse done right away. I have always told him no problem.
At the moment I'm really down on farriers in general, but I hope the one that said he is coming Friday shows up. My friend has not been using him that long, but he has always shown up at her place.

KC
Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 - 11:56 am:

KC
Maybe you are too accommodating. If you feel you MUST change farriers, maybe your current farrier can suggest someone. If I had to change I would ask my farrier for reccomendations. And instead of being concerned about schooling I would ask for a list of references (clients) and talk to them. Good luck with you situation. Good farriers are hard to find.
Colleen
New Member:
Shoe

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 9, 2005 - 1:53 pm:

Hoofcare is done to keep your horses sound.

If your horses are staying sound, and if unsoundness issues are being addressed, I would really work towards keeping your farrier.

You may already have the "tools" to talk to your farrier about it. That's the first place to start.


I would strongly recommend that you schedule your next appointment before the farrier truck leaves the driveway. Conformations prior to the next appointment is critical.

Appointment Confirmations can be done various ways. Telephone,"Land Line", Cell Phone and Cell phone Text Messages, Email, even a snail mail post cards a few days before. Sometimes it just can't be helped. Sometimes there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. If a scheduling concern or any concerns, questions or issues have to be communicated. If something comes up, you've got to talk about it. That's the easiest way. If you don't ask, you probably won't get the answer you both need. It could be something really simple.

It's excellent your farrier has "taught you" a lot of things about the foot. He's engaging you into the process. That is so important for your horses.

Here's a thought.
Do they all stand well for hoofcare? Getting horses that don't stand can be a problem that can be fixed easy enough. Work with your horses and give them the tools to be confident enough for footcare. If your farrier takes the time to work with your horses, get out the check book and be thrilled about it. Your horses will be better for it and you will too.

I hope this helps. It's expressed with the best intentions.

Julie :-)
Member:
lilly

Posted on Thursday, Aug 2, 2007 - 11:36 am:

KC,
I can totally relate to your situation. I had a farrier that I really liked but was difficult to deal with. He was very good with the horses, he was pleasant to be around, he charged a fair price and his work was good. Unfortunately, he never returned my phone calls, was difficult to get a hold of and he would miss appointments and fail to call with an explanation. And we even tried the "make your next appointment while he is at the barn". I ended up moving over 1000 miles away from him so there was no question about getting a new farrier. I have kept in contact with my friends who still use him and they have told me that the situation just keeps getting worse. Most of my friends have given up and found new farriers despite all of his positive attributes. It is very upsetting when you have an emergency, call the farrier and leave a message and he NEVER returns the call.

I will also say that I bent over backward to make his life easier. I was always present when the horses at my barn were trimmed, I held my horse and everyone else's horse, I paid immediately and I sent tips at Christmas. Our horses were well behaved and we had an ideal work area for him to do his business.

Ann
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