13/02/2024
10 Things Your Farrier Wishes You Knew
by Alissa Kelly
1. A schedule keeps everyone happy.
New shoes every FIVE weeks is the best schedule to be on, especially for performance horses. Saving money and waiting 7-8 weeks may cost you in vet bills or poor performance eventually. Make sure you and your Farrier have an appointment for the next set before he leaves. Put it in your phone, set a reminder and if you need to reschedule give as much notice as possible.
2. How to be considerate.
If you have an appointment scheduled, have the horses you plan to be worked on handy where it doesn't take forever to catch them. If they are filthy go ahead and clean your horse up. Not much is worse than working on a wet horse or one with a super dirty blanket. Sometimes my farrier runs behind so I ask him to give me and hour heads up before he comes so I can be ready the moment he pulls up. Usually a shoer gets behind schedule due to a previous client not respecting their time, try to remember this.
3. How to set him up for success.
Provide a well lit and level area for your farrier to work on. Uneven ground can be hard to be precise on. Also remember if your horse behaves badly a farrier can't do his best work. Some horses do not stand due to lack of manners and that is your responsibility to fix that as an owner. A good farrier is a good horseman, if your struggling with your horse and you do not think it is not a respect issue ask your Farrier what you can do to help improve the situation for next time.
4. Yearly X-rays are a great investment.
Most performance horses visit the vet regularly and this is a good chance to give your farrier insight on what's going on in your horses feet. If you provide your farrier with x-rays 1-2 times it will help make sure he's has your horse as perfect as possible. Annual x-rays can also help your vet be able to catch any changes that may be occurring. Communication is key tell your farrier what your vet said and tell your vet what the farrier has said.
5. Changes takes time.
Your Farrier can not fix a horse over night. If you have a problem horse discuss a plan of action and allow time. If someone is more than willing to try and change a horse dramatically in one shoeing, let's call that a red flag. Not every horses feet will look perfect because a good farrier will shoe each horse the way that individual horse needs to be done. If your horses feet look like the ones in the picture before being done you can't expect it to be perfect the first time around. A good foot is a maintained foot.
6. A hoof pick is your friend.
Pick your horses feet out before you ride and after you ride. Pick your horses feet out before you run AND after you run, this a good time to inspect the shoes. If your not riding your horse for an extended period of time, but they still have shoes on, pick your horses feet at least every other day. Know your horses feet like the back of your hand.
7. Pulled Shoes usually mean something.
If your faced with a horse always pulling shoes, especially the same shoe it's time to call the vet. Continuously pulling a shoe can mean a horses gait is off. If a vet gives you the all clear, time to take a good hard look at your horsemanship. Being in the wrong lead or poor signals can cause horses to throw shoes. Sometimes you just flat out own a wild child and maybe that horse needs to be turned out in bell boots. If it only happens every now and then a pulled shoe is not the end of the world. Wrap the foot that has no shoe and let your farrier know. Ask if you can meet him somewhere. If your traveling to a big show have your Farrier set aside a set of old shoes to have for spares.
8. You should HOLD your horses.
Yes most of our lives are super busy and it may not seem productive to stand there when you could just tie them up but it does make a difference. Why? Safety for your horse and shoer, even the best horses can set back. Its is also more efficient and allows a better job to be done.
P.S. get off your phone and be aware ESPECIALLY if you have a horse you know isn't always an angel.
9. This isn't the Do-Si-Do dance.
Switching farriers or having someone else work on your horse here and there because you failed to have your other farrier scheduled is something you should try to avoid. It is not only hard on your horses due to the change, it can make your regular farriers job harder by him trying to fix what someone else did. Consistent work is important. Do not make your horses suffer due to your lack of responsibility.
10. Farriers don't mind teaching you something.
Your farrier has handled more horses in a year than you will in a lifetime. He's full of knowledge beyond shoeing. You are standing there for an hour anyway, use it as a good opportunity to learn something. Ask why, how and know what he is doing. Do you know your horses shoe size? What type of shoes does your horse have on and why? He won't mind answering your sincere questions. Teaching is better than listening to the "Days of our lives" drama he normally hears. The more you know, the further you go. He's more than just a farrier, he's part of your team!
