RE: HELP - Need to change farrier maybe

["Cathy Sabe" <csabe@servicepaper.com>]

Hi gang,
We have learned thru experience that a good farrier is worth their weight in
gold.  Our shoer has been with us going on two years now, and I won't let
anyone else touch my horse's feet.  Although he has studied with other
farriers and visited lameness centers all over the country, he still listens
to us and if we suggest something he feels won't work with our program, he
takes the time to explain why, then he lets US make the choice.  Our horses
stand very quietly for him as he has a wonderful demeanor around them.  Last
Spring, we had a fill-in farrier shoe two of our horses---big mistake.  It
was done strictly out of convenience and a hard lesson learned.  Our horses
would not stand, they did not like his attitude and his actions were
aggressive.  The shoeing did not go well, as a result one of our horses was
lame for 4 months.  Recently I was talking to an friend who had this same
shoer do her horse and found out from the barn manager that he had been
twisting and yanking on the horses ears to make it stand still.  It took two
weeks to get that horse to allow her to touch his ears again.  I guess the
point I'm making here is that you have to go with the program/person who you
feel comfortable with and who has your best interests in mind.  If things
start to go south, look for another farrier, take your time if you can,
don't do what we did and make a mistake out of sheer convenience.  Good
luck!!
Cathy.

-----Original Message-----
From:	John J Lykes [mailto:SEEINGSPOTS@prodigy.net]
Sent:	Friday, January 29, 1999 8:45 AM
To:	Ride Camp
Subject:	HELP - Need to change farrier maybe

Help.  I've gradually become uncomfortable with my current shoer, who I've
had for several years now.  He is a great guy in most respects, but his way
is THE way and I'm starting to think I want to try some new things.  For
instance, when he has finished cliching down the nails he always files the
hoof some more.  I asked him about removing the tip layer/moisture barrier
and he said ''just let the area around your water tank get soggy, that'll
fix it.''  Well, I think if it wasn't broken, I wouldn't have to ''fix it.''

Also, I really want to try other options like the equitonics and /or the
easy boots.  He always takes some of the sole off as well, and if I'm going
to have him barefoot for easy boots I'd think I'd want to keep that old hard
sole, wouldn't I?  As for the equitonics, he said that ''studies have shown
iron shoes cut down concussion more that the plastic ones''.  What I've
gleaned from other writers , here and elsewhere, that doesn't seem to be the
case.

The  third reason, I bought a mare this fall who has never been shod and has
had her feet handled very little, although I can pick up all four of her
feet without a fuss.  The boys are a breeze to shoe.  When I had the current
shoer trim her she was quite anxious and he trimmed one foot and then said ,
''well, if I'm going to trim her, lets put a chain over her nose and teach
her that she's a horse.''  Noooooo, I told him I thought it would be better
if I just worked with her feet more before we attemped it again.

Anyway, sorry to be so long, but these are my reasons for wanting to change.
Am I being overly paranoid?  I know that I am paranoid, but I do like to
keep it under control.  The worst part is he is also a friend/acquaintance
and not someone we only see at shoeing time?  I like him as a person, and if
he could meet me half way maybe we could work something out.  ANY
SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.  Thanks again.

Gay and little Buddy