Farrier Thread

[lupinfarm]

We've never had a problem with lateness or not showing up, just with getting them back again. They all seem to show! I'm hoping I've found the right fit with this new farrier, he's a barefoot trimmer and farrier/blacksmith and his wife is a barefoot trimmer as well.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I've had about 4 different farriers since I've owned my horse. I used Farrier 1 while I was working/boarding at a small ranch and he was their regular farrier so it made sense that I used him. Competent, dependable, no problems. I moved down near Flint for a few months to help with a boarding stable there. Turns out the farrier there had been my horse's farrier from before I bought her. Then we returned back to the small ranch.

After the ranch was sold, my horse and I moved to a different stable where one of the owners is a farrier. While he is very skilled, he always tends to put the barn horses to the back of his to-do list behind outside clients so my horse always ends up getting done a few weeks later than I want. Luckily, because we do the distance riding and she is barefoot with excellent feet, she only needs to be trimmed every 12-15 weeks.

Last year, I had a job down state and took Izzie with me. Luckily, another distance rider/farrier lived nearby and he did her feet while we were down there.

 

[ducks4you]

A few years later I finally wised up and started doing some actual research. Now I have a $160 pair of nippers, a sharpener, fresh rasps, two hoof knives (that get used!), and most importantly, somewhat of a clue what I'm doing. I found an awesome farrier who has come out and shown me some things, and will answer my questions through email. My horses' hooves aren't perfect, but their issues are minimal and I learn something new every time I work on them.

Mine are the cheap ones that you started with. Boy, I'll bet your horses and now PERFECT with their feet manners!!

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

All these reasons and experiences are exactly why I am becoming my own barefoot farrier. I've called and called so many.... No answer or they want to charge way more than I know is reasonable. Just because this is my first time owning my own horse doesn't mean I'm stupid people. So spent about $150 on my own tools and have my vet, some awesome websites, books, YouTube tutorials, and another local DIY horse owner backing me up. Plus the one nice farrier that was booked up said he was willing to come out from time to time to check my work. Thank God. It's crazy out there!