>From someone who also knew little about shoeing and learned the hard
way... My mare has a club foot... one of which I thought was pretty
severe. I listen to farriers tell me they were the "best" for over
a year and didn't listen to what my mare was telling me (because I
thought I was too inexperienced and didn't know better). I got wise
and started asking questions, and telling them what I wanted to see
differently. My previous farrier pretended to listen, or would talk
over me, but never shoed as I'd asked... I wrote him a nice,
professional letter saying that it wouldn't work out, and I appreciated
his advice. His wife (whom I've never even spoken to let alone ever met)
wrote me a nasty letter saying horrible things about me, and
wonderful things about her husband. Basically, there a lot of
farriers out there with big ego's, and they aren't use to horse
owners having an opinion. I now have a great farrier who works with
me, and we learn from each other. My mare's club foot (which at one
point was beginning to split down the middle from the stress of the
bend) is near normal looking, and she has never moved better.
My short story turned long... the moral is ask questions from
anyone and everyone learn when and where you can, and most
importantly trust your instincts and rely on them, you know your
horse better than anyone. I almost lost a wonderful mare by ignoring
my instincts and listening to a couple so called professionals.
Obviously I have needed to vent about this... so thanks for the
opportunity, and for listening.
Jennifer Layman
Palo Alto, CA
To: ENDURANCE@MOSCOW.COM