ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: farrier questions

Re: farrier questions

SandyDSA@aol.com
Mon, 16 Jun 1997 16:07:19 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-06-16 14:36:51 EDT, you write:

<<
I have two questions re: farriers. First, my farrier requires me to be
there
holding my horse by her halter lead while he trims and shoes her. Is this
normal? I haven't asked him about this but it is getting to be a hassle. I
don't mind occasionally being there because I often have questions and
do want to know what is being done to my mare but every time? (This is
my first horse, so if this is a stupid question you know why <BG>!)

First of all, no, our farrier does NOT require me to be there, at times not
even on the property, since all of our horses - including the babies - are
trained to stand quietly, and our farrier is THE BEST! It isn't a stupid
question, just weird to me that the farrier would demand that you ssist him,
which is what it amounts to, unless your horse is a real pill. In that case,
he has the right to expect you to restrain her.
Second question. Lately after my mare is shod she is pretty sore in the
front. My trainer wants me to switch farriers. I have been pleased with
the work that the current farrier has been doing up to now. I had him help
us through some hoof problems which turned out pretty good. Just
recently the pads were removed from the front hooves and she was
doing OK until this last shoeing. Should I just go ahead and switch to the
farrier my trainer recommends or should I give this farrier a chance to
"fix" whatever is wrong.

If your horse is SORE after being shod you probably should look for another
farrier, but if your trainer recommends HIS trainer, I would be a little
suspect of THAT. We generally don't ride our horses the day they are shod
because we ride pretty hard for that. But our 7 year old mare got front shoes
this morning and we went for a 4 mile ride with some trotting - no harm.
Being SORE after shoeing and being TENDER ( as in feeling her way a little)
is a little different. You didn't say hwo long you had been with this farrier
or trainer. No one tells me who to have treat my horses and I judge by the
results. Check with other RIDERS, not trainers for recommendations. Good
luck!
s
Thanks for any advice I really appreciate all the great advice so many of
you have given me!!
>>

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