I think what Susan says holds true about most vets' educations in teeth
and feet, too. I don't think those two parts of the horse's anatomy
are all that well covered in vet school either....I can't count the number
of times Nelson is called to look at a "lame" horse, finds out the
vet was there, said something is wrong with the foot so get the farrier and
it's really something to do with the SHOULDER. Alot of times they
think if a horse is off or limping, something is wrong with the
foot. It doesn't make for friends in the veterinary community when
their diagnosis is what's lame and the farrier figures it out and helps the
horse. We at least appreciate the nudge to owners to call the farrier
but most times it appears to be "passing the buck"... owners could
save themselves a lot of money, time and grief by just calling the farrier
in the first place. At least in our case, it is cheaper and Nelson
will always be the first to suggest a vet is needed if one is.
I must admit, much as I adore my
vet, the one time Toc came down lame, I phoned my farrier first and then the
vet. Problem was that my farrier's phone was on voicemail, and the vet
came immediately. I would never just phone the farrier - I like
the two to play together like nice children. It's just a shame there
is so much professional jealousy between vets and farriers. The
farrier my vet likes to work with, I won't let within fifty feet of one of
my horses, and the vet my farrier likes to work with I don't
know.
Tracey