For the benefit of our horses, we owners ought to be knowledgeable enough to spot a good trimming and shoeing job when we see one. We should also be able to identify problems before they become crises. To do that, we need to learn from the source—the person whom we’ve charged with the responsibility of our horse’s hoof health. We must be able to communicate with the farrier frankly. He or she is, after all, performing a service for us and our horses. Here are some tips for forging a productive information exchange with your farrier.
- Call right away when a hoof problem (e.g., an abscess, a crack, a lost shoe) surfaces, rather than procrastinating for weeks on end.
- Educate yourself about basic hoof anatomy and problems so you can pick up on problems and communicate with your farrier more effectively. Read hoof care articles in books or on reputable sites such as this one. Ask your farrier to show or explain things to you.
- Speak up. Make every effort to be there when your farrier works on your horse, and speak up if you have a question or comment.
- Provide key details and history about your horse. Part of your “edge” as the horse’s owner is you know what’s going on with his feet on a day-to-day basis. You’re the one sitting on his back and who knows how he feels. Maybe your horse forges (his hind toe hits the back of the front foot) on circles but not straightaways. Or he tends to pull his front shoes off only in downward transitions. Perhaps he feels like he moves a little “short” with his right hind on one posting diagonal. That’s all valuable information your farrier needs to shoe your horse most effectively. The more specific you can be, the better chance the farrier has to help your horse.
- Ask questions. You’re paying the farrier for his knowledge, so don’t be afraid to pick his brain about what he is doing and why. Most farriers have no trade secrets they want to hide. The more talented they are, the more willing they should be to share their knowledge. A farrier who doesn’t want to talk or answer questions is perhaps not the best farrier for you.
- Work together with your farrier and your veterinarian when addressing hoof issues, even it if means being the middleman between the two.
- Be considerate. Make sure your horse is well-trained to stand calmly in cross-ties and have his feet picked up and handled. If not, be honest, and communicate with your farrier ahead of time so he doesn’t feel ambushed. Also, make sure your horse is ready to be shod at the appointed time. If you can’t have your horse in from the field, you might consider rescheduling.
- Schedule routine appointments. Get on a regular (e.g., six-week) schedule with your farrier, and set (and keep) future appointments. This can help make scheduling and fitting into your farrier’s busy calendar easier for both parties.
- Say thanks. If your horse’s good shoeing job means he travels straighter or sounder, a thank-you call or text to your farrier can go a long way toward encouraging and maintaining a good relationship.
Related Reading:
- How To Find a Farrier for Your Horse
- Farrier Visits 101: How To Prepare and Handle Your Horse
- Horse Owner Etiquette When Working With Equine Professionals
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