All About That...Feet
“No foot, no horse,” is how the saying goes. But how about, “no farrier, no feet”? Finding a good farrier is tough. Some are downright awful. Most are unreliable. I’ve worked with a lot of farriers and the entire spectrum from super great to completely frustrating. One even rescheduled my appointment three times only to show up high and drive away. So yeah I’ve seen it.
How do you get a good farrier, and how do you get a good farrier to stay? I’ve talked with my current farrier, who I love, about this subject many times. It comes down to a relationship. There’s a give and take, and you have to give but also make your expectations of what you need clear. Here’s some suggestions on how to do exactly that.
Where do I find a good farrier?
Don’t choose a farrier based on a recommendation you found on an online forum. At least not ONE recommendation anyway. If the farrier you’re choosing has multiple recommendations and you’ve talked to REAL clients of theirs, go for it! Just don’t find one person’s comment and think it’s unbiasedly going to be true.
Do ask your vet. I found my current farrier this way and I can tell you it’s amazing to be able to have them work together to keep my horses sound. Your vet knows who is reputable in the area and will not do damage to your horse’s feet, or they wouldn’t recommend them.
Don’t stay with a farrier you are unhappy with, for any reason. I did this for a LONG time-far longer than I should have. Loyalty is only valuable as long as the relationship is mutually beneficial. If you’re sticking with a farrier just because you’ve been with them for a long time but aren’t happy with their service anymore, you aren’t doing you (or them) any favors.
Do ask a trusted horseperson in the area. Although there are some trainers that are unwilling to share-which is completely absurd, by the way-most will recommend their trusted farrier to you.
Once you find a good farrier, how do you keep them?
Do set your expectations for your farrier at the beginning. If you’re not comfortable discussing these things in person or on the phone, text them, email them, or type it out and give it to them. This has been my number 1 tip for having a good relationship with your farrier. Here’s what I laid out in my first conversation with my current farrier:
-I expect you to be on time, but I will also be on time. I’ll have my horses ready for you so I don’t waste your valuable time while I take forever to catch my horse.
-I don’t mind rescheduling if I have some notice or it’s an emergency, but I run a business and am constantly juggling my own, my employees, my clients and my horses’ schedules so please respect my time too!
-I will pay you on time and I will tip. If I don’t have the funds for your services I won’t schedule you.
-If I’m happy with your work you’ll have a steady string of horses from my barn that will be scheduled every 6-8 weeks.
-If I’m not happy with your work I will tell you honestly what my problems are. If I feel we can’t come to an agreeable solution I will find another farrier, but I will notify you first.
-I will be reasonable with my requests but I will ask you for advice on soundness issues that come up. I realize you’re not a vet, but I will, from time to time, ask for a soundness evaluation or your opinion on options for helping my horses stay sound. I also ask that you work with my vet any time that is needed.
These discussions were wonderfully clarifying for both of us and have helped us both manage our expectations.
Don’t second guess everything your farrier does or be a google expert. If you have legitimate questions for your farrier, they should be open to discussions that make sense. However, if you want them to change the way they nail on shoes because you saw a video on Facebook about it, you’re out of line.
Do tip well, or discuss tipping openly with your farrier. Ask if tipping is included in the price and if it’s not, add a 15%-25% tip to the bill. Your farrier will stay if you pay them what they are worth, and many farriers (in my area anyway) don’t charge what their worth.
Don’t expect your farrier to be a horse trainer. Yes, having a patient farrier who takes the time your horse needs is important, especially if you have a young or inexperienced horse that needs to get used to the shoeing process. But if you’re not doing your job in making sure your horse has good ground manners, will stand quietly, and will lift up and hold their feet, that’s on you. You cannot expect your farrier to actually train your horse.