04/20/2023
This is incredibly well written and some good rules to abide by for anyone.
Hello to all my truly valued customers !
Please take note of the following requests/guidelines for proper appointment behaviour/etiquette.
(Also please note it is often very difficult for me to send this out into the world, but I am trying to find my voice!)
1. Be ready
We are all late sometimes, me especially. But I can promise it is not always because I am disorganized. Often I have to take extra time with a horse or human who needs it. I don’t generally charge extra for this, and I can promise if you if your horses needed extra time I would give it freely. Please do your best to have your horse(s) caught & ready (or close by with a plan to rotate).
2. Choose a spot for me to work that is flat and clear of loose snow, no loose horses and Weather-appropriate.
Packed snow is acceptable but loose snow collects in the feet every time the horse puts his foot down, and I spend more time picking it out than I do trimming. Same goes for mud and Sand, they also dull my tools. I am not about to force your horse to hold his foot up the entire time if he needs a rest or to rebalance. Please don’t park me in an area with slush. Seek a sliver of shade for me in the summer. Shovel out your horse shelter for me in rain (would you like to have your face down breathing in manure dust?) if there are loose horses around you need to be hyper vigilant should one of them come too close or upset the horse I am under
3. Clean dry feet and legs.
In summer sometimes packed in dirt helps keep the feet somewhat soft. But in winter, ice buildup or mud or manure (or worse, dog 💩) makes me mad. If you don’t want to handle the feet why would I? If it’s dry and the feet are hard consider soaking them for a few hours before I arrive, then drying. But if you decide to soak you need to pick them out first. Soaking for 20 mins and then leaving them wet makes me mad and doesn’t help me any.
4. Don’t do stuff to your horse while I’m under him.
Seriously. Not a good time to brush him. Not a good time to pull his mane. Not a good time to add a blanket. Not a good time to treat his scratches. Not a good time for giving medications. Seems like a no brainer but with spring on it’s way I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a bunch of hair flicked into my face. And a new one for me; being smacked in the face with blanket buckles. Just. Stand. There. Correct any trespasses but don’t micromanage.
5. Be present.
If you have to leave or go do something that’s okay. Let me know. Tie your horse. If you don’t want to talk to me while I’m working it’s fine. If you don’t want me to talk that’s fine too. If I’m working and not talking I’m not mad I’m concentrating. I am feeling all of the horse in balance above me and searching for indications of a spook that will ripple through his body before he jumps. (I can feel where his head is through his feet!) We are dancing together in the art of balance and give and take of his feet. There is a second conversation happening between me and your horse that you know nothing about. Please do not use your cellphone unless it is an emergency. I find it more disrespectful than if you just leave. Be here now. Being present also means being aware of the situation. If you see danger you think might upset your horse I would prefer you tell me. If your dog is so excited to eat trimmings he’s is getting bumped with my tools, it’s making me mad.
6. If you can’t get him to stand still just tie him.
Practicing standing and relaxing is a thing. If you need help with this just ask I am happy to show you. Set him up for success by not asking me to trim him the first time he ever comes in the barn. Get him used to his environment.
7. Take his blankets, tack, leg wraps off before I start.
Belly blanket hooks sit at the perfect height to get tangled in my hair. If he spooks at that exact time I’m worried I’ll get scalped. Stirrups sit at face smacking height. This is part of being ready.
8. Trust my judgement about how to trim.
I am open to most things. If you ask me to modify what I am doing, change my trim to suit your horse, be prepared to tell my why you think it will help. Be prepared to do it yourself. I will not change my trim if I feel it will be a detriment to your horses feet or soundness. I am happy to change some things, leave him a little extra if you’re planning a big event, or when the seasons change. Please know I already do this without being asked. If you are really dissatisfied with what I am doing, do us both the honour of just finding someone else, or better yet, you learn to trim. It may be the best thing you do for your horse.. it was for me.
I’m return, I vow that I will:
Regulate my emotions.
I am a patient person when it comes to horses. Humans, not so much. But I’m not here to trim your feet. The horse is rarely the thing that frustrates me. I feel awful for every single time I’ve ever hit or smacked a horse. It never helps the horse. I don’t want to be that farrier.
Do my best work for you and your horse and honour your financial investment.
Being a farrier is hard on your body. I will push through any and all discomfort I am experiencing so that I can do the best work I can. I will admit when I am outside my experience or if I don’t know. I won’t make up stories or try to sound smarter than I am. I will reschedule if I am not at my best, instead of provide you with poor service.
Show up
Unless I am really hurting or not myself I will come. If you satisfy my requests i will even schedule it for you, and remind you if you forget. I will be your knight in shining armour. I will go out of my way to get things your horse needs; boots, thrush treatments, etc.
I will treat you and your horse with the deepest empathy, care and concern I have to give.
I am aiming to give the most relaxing, efficient and thorough experience to all of us. We are all on a different journey. I vow that I will not force my methods on you, but I will share what I think if you ask me to.
I will go above and beyond for you, that’s just who I am. I will strive to be the best farrier you’ve ever had. Please honour my efforts by not making this job more difficult than it needs to be.
-lots of love,
Your friendly neighbourhood farrier 💕
Farrier business servicing Stony Plain, Devon, Onoway, Leduc, Thorsby and surrounding areas
