I have seen threads and posts on farriers and as expected they vary quite a bit on who’s good or not and what’s good or not. My goal is to help try to explain the owner/farrier relationship in order to get the best possible outcome for the client (your horse).
First I want to address the key factors in a well shod horse: Genetics; Nutrition/Care; Environment; Hoof Care and Maintenance
Genetics: Like all animals there are genetically superior and inferior aspects your horse can inherit (conformation ect). It is the job of the owner, vet, and farrier to recognize inferior aspects and address them accordingly. I would like to point out that horses genetically predisposed to hoof issues will be much more sensitive to the other three factors. This is what the horse brings to the table.
Nutrition/Care: This is key to building and growing the highest quality horn material that your horse can. Proper nutrition and a well cared for horse will look well developed and fit, have a nice shiny coat, and show both energy and purpose. This is a primary job of the owner to ensure that he/she understands the needs of the horse and has developed a proper nutrition/care plan. As an owner ensure you have an open line of communication with the vet, farrier, and caretaker and ask questions to obtain the best results for your horse.
Environment: A horse must be in an environment that will promote healthy hoof growth. This means pastures not mud and/or feed lots. Run in sheds and stalls should be well maintained, clean and dry. Address areas where the horses are prone to stand that become excessively muddy or accumulated manure and pee; areas like these are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus and will affect the quality of the horn material. As well, during the fly season appropriate measures must be taken to address fly control to reduce stomping. This is a primary job of the owner, to ensure the caretaker provides the proper environment for the horse. As an owner ensure you know your horse’s living environment.
Hoof Care and Maintenance: This is the primary function of the farrier. Not just to service the horse on a schedule but to educate the owner on specific things they should be doing for maintenance between appointments as defined by the horses needs. As well, he/she should inform the owner of and address any irregularities at each appointment. In addition, the owner should share any irregularities good or bad that occur with the horses movement after or between cycles. As an owner one can’t make a farrier do the job he/she wants but one can and should know the basics of a well shod or trimmed hoof. In addition, I will point out a few things. A trim is a different task then trimming for shoes and depending on the horse the trim and fit of the shoes can vary. If your horse, isn’t moving well, you feel the feet just don't look right or look out of balance, its sore, has flares, cracks, poor horn quality, excessive chipping, etc.. at the very least talk to your farrier, vet and care provider, ask questions, and ensure that you are informed on all of the factors I have listed above of a well shod horse.
As a final note I want to address scheduling and professionalism, farriers provide service calls like most service calls the time of service can vary from appointment to appointment. For example if you need a cable service call they will say, be there between 10 and 2 or some range of hours. Now a farrier that does not notify the client they are running late or that they will not make it that day is definitely in the wrong. As for professionalism, if you want your farrier to treat you professionally treat him/her that way, present him/her with a client that has been prepared for service. This means there is a proper working area for the farrier and the horse has been caught, cleaned, hooves picked, mud removed prior to service, and maintain a consistent shoeing schedule.
If there is a positive response to this post I will be happy to answer questions and continue to post more detailed information, helpful tips, and links.
First I want to address the key factors in a well shod horse: Genetics; Nutrition/Care; Environment; Hoof Care and Maintenance
Genetics: Like all animals there are genetically superior and inferior aspects your horse can inherit (conformation ect). It is the job of the owner, vet, and farrier to recognize inferior aspects and address them accordingly. I would like to point out that horses genetically predisposed to hoof issues will be much more sensitive to the other three factors. This is what the horse brings to the table.
Nutrition/Care: This is key to building and growing the highest quality horn material that your horse can. Proper nutrition and a well cared for horse will look well developed and fit, have a nice shiny coat, and show both energy and purpose. This is a primary job of the owner to ensure that he/she understands the needs of the horse and has developed a proper nutrition/care plan. As an owner ensure you have an open line of communication with the vet, farrier, and caretaker and ask questions to obtain the best results for your horse.
Environment: A horse must be in an environment that will promote healthy hoof growth. This means pastures not mud and/or feed lots. Run in sheds and stalls should be well maintained, clean and dry. Address areas where the horses are prone to stand that become excessively muddy or accumulated manure and pee; areas like these are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus and will affect the quality of the horn material. As well, during the fly season appropriate measures must be taken to address fly control to reduce stomping. This is a primary job of the owner, to ensure the caretaker provides the proper environment for the horse. As an owner ensure you know your horse’s living environment.
Hoof Care and Maintenance: This is the primary function of the farrier. Not just to service the horse on a schedule but to educate the owner on specific things they should be doing for maintenance between appointments as defined by the horses needs. As well, he/she should inform the owner of and address any irregularities at each appointment. In addition, the owner should share any irregularities good or bad that occur with the horses movement after or between cycles. As an owner one can’t make a farrier do the job he/she wants but one can and should know the basics of a well shod or trimmed hoof. In addition, I will point out a few things. A trim is a different task then trimming for shoes and depending on the horse the trim and fit of the shoes can vary. If your horse, isn’t moving well, you feel the feet just don't look right or look out of balance, its sore, has flares, cracks, poor horn quality, excessive chipping, etc.. at the very least talk to your farrier, vet and care provider, ask questions, and ensure that you are informed on all of the factors I have listed above of a well shod horse.
As a final note I want to address scheduling and professionalism, farriers provide service calls like most service calls the time of service can vary from appointment to appointment. For example if you need a cable service call they will say, be there between 10 and 2 or some range of hours. Now a farrier that does not notify the client they are running late or that they will not make it that day is definitely in the wrong. As for professionalism, if you want your farrier to treat you professionally treat him/her that way, present him/her with a client that has been prepared for service. This means there is a proper working area for the farrier and the horse has been caught, cleaned, hooves picked, mud removed prior to service, and maintain a consistent shoeing schedule.
If there is a positive response to this post I will be happy to answer questions and continue to post more detailed information, helpful tips, and links.