RE: RC: uh-oh, Insulted Farrier

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Perhaps we are just lucky. About 20 years ago we got a farrier just out of
Cal Poly. We have had him ever since. We pay top pricing for shoeing but it
is worth every penny we have spent. We seldom have pulled shoes, lameness is
not a part of our vocabulary when it comes to shoeing, and he is always
interested in discussing various methods of shoeing.

He started out insisting all shoes had to be made by hand. When we pointed
out it would be easier to reshape keg shoes he thought about it for a week
or so and then agreed. Why do all that extra work when the blanks were
there! Then he tried cold shoeing and when we suggested it was easier to
shape hot iron=on he thought about it and figured that it sure was easier on
his body so why not.

It goes on and on with the little things and now he says that he went to Cal
Poly to shoeing school but LEARNED TO SHOE at our place afterwards.

Besides, my wife says the gossip from the farrier is much better than any
ever garnered at the hairdresser's!

Our farrier is always learning, investigating, working with the Vets and so
on. If any one needs a very good farrier we will lease him out for $500 per
hour plus expenses.

Bob Morris

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Mayeda [mailto:kathy_mayeda@atce.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 5:05 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: RC: uh-oh, Insulted Farrier


I don't object to a farrier having his intern do some of the tasks.  If we
don't allow this, then we will be having a inexperienced bunch of farriers
straight out of a few weeks school doing unsupervised shoeing!  What is not
permissable in my mind, is the passing on of the "princess" attitude, and
the possible passing on of a bad farrier technique.  This scenario seems
like it he was doing both, but then again I wasn't there.

Yes, my experience with farriers to date has been a bunch of "princesses"
and one young good guy I could live with.  He only missed one appointment
and that was partly my fault because of a switch in plans.  And he does what
I ask, but does offer his own opinions, sometimes strong. There had been a
moment when I challenged him on something and he balked and blew up a
little.  But he did what I asked him to do, the final results were an
improvement. So now we have a more mutual respect. Since the shoeings are
going well I don't hang around to "supervise" anymore. (I think we are both
happier that way because I can get real anal about shoeing.) My horse has
been improving, which is a lot better than going downhill!

This is a farrier that I want to keep for a long time.  I just hope that he
doesn't get crusty as he gets older and more experienced!  I guess being a
farrier can turn a man sour....

Kathy




-----Original Message-----
From: Endure4fun@aol.com [mailto:Endure4fun@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 2:16 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: Fwd: RC: uh-oh, Insulted Farrier


In a message dated 7/18/00 12:43:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
guest@endurance.net writes:

<< He 'threw me out'
 and has refused to ever shoe my horse again.  My 'sin' was
 objecting to the extensive rasping the farrier's new apprentice
 was doing to my horse's foot.  I've been with this farrier for
 three years.  I have to truck to him.  He charge >>

I've been reading these posts about farrier problems.  When someone is
having
shoes put on and the farrier is having an intern do the work, do he/she
ask
first?  After all you are paying for the farrier's experince, not to be
a
"lesson" for an intern.  Yes, I know they have to learn some where, but
should we have to pay exp. farrier's prices when he/she is having a
"student"
do the job?  Shouldn't we have the choice who we want?  After all we are

paying them!
We are trusting a professional to our horses feet just as we trust a
doctor
to take care of us.  I don't think I would be happy if my doctor said
that
his "intern" was going to operate on me for the experience!!! and to top
it
off have to pay the doctors fees if I even survived!
Yes, everyone has to learn, but let it be our choice and not at the
expense
of our horses feet/health.
keri



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