Forge South

27/10/2025

The show (or shoe..) must go on!

07/10/2025

Spring has sprung and with the heavy rainfall and sopping paddocks, Seb is coming across lots of waterlogged feet. This causes soles to over-exfoliate and become thin which, paired with the fact our horses are used to dry and hard ground, may find your horse feeling a bit tender! There are a few ways to help; applying a hoof hardener (we like Keratex), stabling with shavings (if you're so lucky!) and horses with already thin soles may need extra help with support pads. This environment is prime for solar bruising which can often lead to abscesses. Remember when the ground does dry and harden up, those horses that have decreased in sole quality will feel it even more until their sole callous builds up once again.

30/07/2025

Dear valued clients

Please note that effective from 01 September 2025 there will be a price increase to the services provided by Forge South. We are now charging for the stock used, for which we have previously absorbed the cost. New pricing (inc. GST) is as follows:

Full set - $230
New shoes - $10/shoe
Half set - $160
Trim (multiple) - $69
Trim (single) - $78
Stud holes (pair) -$15
Impression material (pair) - $50
Equipak - $80/per foot
Pads (pair) - $50
Draught set - $250
Draught half set - $175
Draught trim - $105
Draught shoes - $20/shoe
Abscess (at appointment) - $35
Abscess (call out) - $80
Wedge pads (pair) - $25
Bar shoes - $30/shoe
Lost shoe (call out) - $40
Laminitic trim - $105
3 degree wedge pad - $65/pair
Seedy toe (call out) - $105
Travel fee per client (over 100km from home base) - $40

We are now able to take bookings at our home base (Earnscleugh, Alexandra), charged at the current rates with no increase (excluding shoes and stock).

Emergency call outs and extensive remedial shoeing will be discussed and quoted prior to appointments.

Many thanks

Seb and Josie Handley

10/07/2025

A bit quiet on the FB front while we hunker down for winter and keep horses ticking along in the fog 🌫.

Winter is often a time for whipping shoes off and turning out horses, but can also be a great opportunity for some handling and training of your younger or more worried horses. Bringing them in regularly for handling of their feet, sets them up for success when it comes to 'needing' them to stand for their appointments, whether it be for a trim or their first pair of shoes 💅.

Also a great time to book in your horses for some longer appointments if you wish to discuss the plan for your horses shoeing ahead of spring, or book combined consults with your vets to get proactive about any issues you wish to address ahead of the season.

Stay warm and here's hoping the sun makes an appearance soon 😶‍🌫️!

17/05/2025

Great day supporting this event, riders nailed it 💪

19/03/2025

As a proud sponsor and supporter, and farrier for the Central Otago Riding for the Disabled Association, we're fully behind their upcoming project to resurface the arena at Dunstan Equestrian Centre. If any of our clients would like to join the support, please PM Central Otago Riding for the Disabled Association directly to purchase raffle tickets.

Our annual firewood raffle is back! This year, the fundraising efforts are bigger than ever. All funds raised will go towards the resurfacing of the arena at the Dunstan Equestrian Centre. A massive project that will have a real impact on our riders, volunteers and horses. PM us if you'd like to buy a ticket or two; $2 a ticket, raffle drawn 17 April and firewood kindly donated and delivered within the Alexandra area by Angus D***s Firewood ,or perhaps you are a local business who would be willing to hold a raffle card for us in your store or office? Get in touch.

11/03/2025

Last month saw a very special visitor for Forge South. Seb spent his apprenticeship under AWCF David Sanderson for 4 years in the UK and went on to work for him for another 2. David thought it was about time to check standards hadn't slipped and spent a couple of days on the road with Seb through Glenorchy and Ranfurly. Reports were that the scenery here for shoeing is better, but the cups of tea needed improvement!

26/01/2025

Mutual affection!

Pedicure day for the boys.
Ballineen Blue Mountain loves farrier Seb and I think the feeling is very mutual!

21/12/2024

Santa's little helpers 🧑‍🎄

29/11/2024

The young bucks queuing up for their turn, watching and learning from the seasoned pro, Ted.

Seb's days are all full now until the new year - please get in touch to sort your January bookings 🐴.

06/08/2024

It's that time of year when we're getting horses back in and shoes back on! The next month is getting close to fully booked with pre-spring appointments. If you're not on a usual pre-set 6 week run, please get in touch asap if you're hoping to get shoes back on for September events.