Wednesday 16 May 2018

You're Fired

Following the hilarity that was our pony ponying adventure, I took Bridget for a much less exciting trail ride to the lake, and she was happy again.

Also on Sunday, we had a less fun adventure in the form of a visit from our farrier, in which I had to suck it up and advocate for my horses so much that I was uncomfortable. I'm well aware he is the professional and I am not, but there really were some things I was concerned about, and so I asked my questions respectfully and with an open mind, while being firm I needed better than a vague answer. The immediate issue was eventually resolved, but I was left with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, as he made it pretty obvious he wasn't happy with me for asking questions and was very defensive and rude about it to myself and the ponies.

So, I'm going to look into trimming my two myself (with the online guidance and advice of our previous long term farriers who both have moved out of area. Truly, we have no one right now). Both showed me how and let me practice multiple times, so I *think* this is something I can do, but I will of course be educating myself further - I've done a couple of weekend courses previously, and will definitely be looking at options for further education.

As for the farrier who was having a bad day/week/month, in a strange coincidence, later that evening facebook exploded with a bunch of people who were very unhappy with him (in a local area horse group, of course, not actually anywhere the guy could see and respond). While I was a little relieved it wasn't just me who was unhappy,  I really don't agree with trash talking and posting pictures of his work online without actually trying to resolve the issue with him in person. Whether I personally would hire the guy or not, it's his livelihood and when I discussed my issues to his face, he DID attempt to resolve them. Maybe I didn't enjoy having to have that conversation in person, but ughhh, I'm pretty sure facebook isn't the way to go.

Anyone else had a similar experience? How did you handle it? Do you tend to ask questions and discuss concerns with your horse professionals, or do you just let them get on with their jobs and not call them back if you're unhappy with their work?

And...enquiring minds need to know...how many of you trim your own horse's feet? Any good resources you'd recommend for learning?

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27 comments

  1. You can totally do your horses trims yourself! I trimmed my own horses for a few years. It was hard work for leg muscles and I had pretty dull nippers so I could only manage two feet in a session. (Un)pro tip: try sitting on a small stool and rest the hoof in your lap if your horses have good trimming manners. Oh, and splurge for good nippers :)

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    1. I just bought some good nippers this morning! As a funny side note, when my husband was like "whoa, $140 for those!" I told him Wendy recommended the good ones (said in the tone of voice implying that of course he knows you, maybe has even met you multiple times) and he agreed Wendy obviously knows best :)

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  2. I'm tempted to learn how to trim my donkey but I haven't really pursued anything.

    My farrier was out for a surgery for several months and I was not pleased with the fill in. Partially because he was ALWAYS LATE (like way late) but I also wasn't happy with the direction Emi's feet were going. If/when my farrier stops doing farrier work I'm going to ask him for lessons.

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    1. Side note: Emi was poorly behaved for the fill in farrier and has been great ever since our regular farrier came back....I've concluded there was something she didn't like about the other guy.

      Good job standing up for you and your horses although I totally get that's its uncomfortable, especially when they are supposed to be the knowledgeable one.

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    2. Thats been a bit of the problem - long term farrier is retired, new one did ok work the first time, but gradually things are going the wrong way. As is his attitude, lol. And yeah, the ponies don't love him either. Fingers crossed it will all improve with him, but for now at least, I'm out :(

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  3. When I first got my horse, and her being my first horse. I didn't have a farrier. So I just managed to get in with a random farrier that had time for me... and he was pretty aggressive about how he handled her. I wasn't very comfortable but I also didn't know any better - all the lesson or lease situations I had been in I wasn't around for farrier day. So I let him do his thing, paid him and went home a bit concerned but not overly upset. In the next week or so, I talked to a few other people and learned that considering she's good with feet that he should've been able to work on her without being THAT assertive. So, I just never called him back for my mare and now use another guy who is AMAZING! That being said, not every farrier will work well for every horse/owner.

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    1. I feel like some of them get so tired/burnt out they get a little too impatient/untrusting with the horses, and then of course the good horses get offended by that. I'm glad you found someone great!

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  4. I’m actually doing Katai’s feet now myself after very similar experiences. I also had an expert work with me to show me how to do it and she’s still available for help as needed remotely. I have to say that I’m not sure why I waited so long. Katai’s feet look better than they have in years.

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    1. Also, I don’t even use nippers, just a rasp and I do a little every week or every other week or so.

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    2. I bought nippers because both of mine are LONG right now, but I'm hoping to get it under control, then just use a rasp regularly like you do.

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  5. I've been trimming Lily's feet for the last 6 years and Gracie's for the past 4 (the entire time I've owned her). I had similar experiences to yours, and then it became a necessity when I was booting for endurance. For endurance, hooves need to be maintained more frequently than on a regular farrier schedule if you want the same pair of boots to fit from one ride to another. Like Piccolopony, I just use a rasp every couple of weeks. It's easier to maintain every few weeks than to have to do a big trim every two months. :)

    I learned from two farriers that taught me, and through lots and lots of reading. This website was my literal bible for a long time: http://www.barefoothorse.com/ I also own and love The Horse Owner's Guide to Natural Hoof Care by Jaime Jackson https://www.amazon.com/Horse-Owners-Guide-Natural-Hoof/dp/0965800768

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    1. Thanks for the links! So cool, I took a barefoot trimming clinic with someone who works with Jaime Jackson, so I will look for the book, and you've reminded me to dig out the notes I took (And highly recommend the clinic, it was fantastic!)

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  6. The last bad experience I had with a trimmer I began trimming myself. That was in 2012. Griffin and Q have been trimmed by me almost exclusively that whole time. Stan has come into rotation, too, since joining us in 2016 and his feet look better than they ever did when he was with his previous owner.

    Using the rasp a little every week or every two weeks keeps them super manageable and the work to a reasonable level. If you're only using the rasp and doing a bit at a time, you really can't go wrong. Doing it that way and having check ins (photo/video or in-person) with your mentors should keep you feeling confident!

    My biggest recommendation beyond doing a little at a time frequently is to Get A Hoofstand. Doesn't have to be the fanciest thing in the world (those Hoofjacks are nice but $$$$), but having something to hold the foot up so you can stabilize and trim is HUGE. It'll save your legs and back a lot. I scored one somewhere years ago online for ~$50. Definitely money well-spent!

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    1. This is kind of embarrassing, but I've been using an automotive jack stand because the farm owner's husband is a mechanic and had extras. They come in sets of 2 for about $60, so if anyone else is interested...they do work in a pinch and are cheap and easy to find (or borrow, lol). I think I'm going to upgrade, tho :)

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  7. Yes! It is totally doable :) I agree with Liz about a Hoof stand: it pays for itself in a few trims. I also found this book to be extremely informative: https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Hoof-Book-Diagnosis-Treatment/dp/1570767327/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526555266&sr=1-1 I try to take pics regularly, it is sometimes easier to look at the angles more objectively in a photo than in real life.

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    1. Thank you so much for the link! And love the idea of photos to track changes! I don't think I'll be brave enough to post them here, but I like the idea of having a timeline should I run into problems and need to reach out to my old farrier via email.

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  8. A friend of mine trims her own horses. They've always had a lot of problems just because their feet are wonky, so she took a crash course and now her horses are sound and healthy and happy. I do ask questions of my farrier, just because I want to know, and he's really good about answering my questions, showing me real-time why he's been doing things a certain way with Amber. It's usually the RF I'm concerned about because of her knee, but Amber has always been sound with him. There was a small miscommunication at one point (I usually work when he comes so I either talk to him over the phone or don't talk to him beyond 'thank you; here's my money' lol) and Amber developed a weird bubble in her RF. I presented it to him, and once he realized what I was trying to get across, he was super apologetic about the mix-up, and Amber hasn't had another issue. I agree with you that FB wasn't really the way to go, but especially if you're having to really push to keep your horses sound then doing them yourself would be a pretty good option I think. I think having to fight that hard every time he comes would be pretty exhausting. I think you can absolutely do them yourself!

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    1. Arguing and being pushy doesn't come easy to me, so I'm going to try to do them myself and see how it goes. The relationship you have with your farrier is what I'm used to - not that I ever had a lot of questions/concerns, but the rare time I did it was nice to be provided with answers.

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  9. I learned to trim myself because I fired two farriers in a row for being bossy dicks and not listening to my concerns whatsoever. Finding a good farrier is seriously worth its weight in gold!

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    1. It's been 4 days now and I'm still just as angry as before. And I don't get mad easily at all. So yeah, I'd better learn to trim :)

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  10. Being an introvert (I'm assuming you are too because I feel like personality wise we align on so many things and I'm an introvert) can make those kinds of conversations the most awkward. Gut feelings are usually correct so good for you with going with it!

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    1. Yes, SUCH an introvert. Yesterday, a coworker was making fun of people who order takeout online rather than pick up the phone and I was like "SOMETIMES I AM ONE OF THEM, DON"T JUDGE!" :)
      It's funny, the odd time I do get pushed out of my comfort zone and have to have a talk (like with the farrier) I get all irrationally angry about it (Why did they make me have to be mean!?) and usually refuse to deal with the person after. I'm just not that great at adulting :)

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  11. oh man, nothing stresses me out worse than not feeling like i can have good, open lines of communication with my horse's care providers. like, even just being able to get answers to odd questions. or having someone be willing to explain clearly how or why they made certain choices for my horses... it makes a big difference! exciting tho to be thinking of doing your own horses' feet! i know a lot of folks who happily do their own trims so it seems like a reasonable goal!

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    1. We started with him not wanting to discuss things: "her feet are fine, I am in a rush and too busy to answer questions", then after I questioned anyway, coming up with a ton of excuses: "OK, yes, her feet are not fine...but...here are some random reasons I shouldn't have to fix them today". Which almost made it worse :(

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  12. You did the right thing. We have to advocate for our ponies, even when it involves surly farriers ;)

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    1. I was giving myself a mental pep talk in the moment "Be firm, but reasonable. Project confidence. Stand tall. Oh, and I'm pretty sure you can kick his ass if necessary"
      It worked, without me needing to resort to the last step, lol :)

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  13. I have almost always had excellent relationships with farriers, though on occasion it has meant politely opting out of the farrier the rest of the barn uses. (Like, I strongly declined to use the farrier that flew in from halfway across the country and required a full set of rads before he would shoe, WTF, but he wasn't required and I maintained polite but firm resolve.) I'm sorry you that that happen to you with your farrier, that's really frustrating and difficult.

    That said, I have on occasion worked on Tristan's feet in between farrier visits when he was at a tough point with his feet, or when I wanted them to be doing other things. It's definitely do-able. The biggest pitfall, for me, was the level of obsessiveness it can incubate. I'm the kind of person who can fret about detail unto oblivion, and trimming definitely encouraged those tendencies in me. So while it was good to feel more knowledgeable and in-charge, and it's a skill I'm glad I feel somewhat confident in should I need it, I'm also intensely grateful to have a farrier that I both like and respect.

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