RC: RE: uh-oh, insulted farrier

[Roberta Jo Lieberman <woik@home.com>]

> How do you tell if you have the best farrier around?

He usually arrives at the barn _before_ I do, puts on a fresh shirt and
is set up and waiting for me when I arrive. (He forgave me when I forgot
to show up once or twice.)

He has been thinking about shoeing and changes in the context of what
ride/conditions he knows is coming up, because he has written down my
schedule in his book at the beginning of ride season and asks me about
it before he comes out each time. He gives a great deal of thought to
any problems that arise.

He always watches my horse walk and trot away and back before beginning.

When he's done shoeing, he stays to chat a while rather than roaring off
in a cloud of dust.

He enrolls in university courses in anatomy and radiography.
Veterinarians begin to consult him on difficult cases.

He tells me about research he has been doing and is curious about
articles I've read since the last visit. Committed to education, he
begins to publish a quarterly newsletter and put on monthly lectures,
inviting various equine specialists such as equine dentists. He hosts an
annual picnic/seminar for his clients.

He turns down a position of head clinical farrier at a Midwest
veterinary school in order to start his own farrier school on the East
coast. Which he does, successfully, as evidenced by a steady stream of
talented graduates joining the profession or upgrading their knowledge.

BTW, he never charged me for replacing a thrown shoe. 

Bobbie (who is just as happy with her new farrier on the West Coast. :))