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RE: [RC] talk about reactionary - Stephanie E Caldwell1.) My hoofcare specialist studied for 800 hours. And she was a farrier for TWENTY YEARS before she became a Strasser hoofcare specialist. In this day and age, vets -- and I am talking about the two I recently worked with so don't go getting all in a huff -- I wish vets ewre just a little more familiar with the needs of horses and their feet. Despite your disclaimer, it really does sound like you are condemning the veterinary profession in general, when perhaps it would be more accurate to say that you've not chosen vets well-versed in the area(s) in which you have needs. Heidi and Lori, Heidi I wish we lived closer, I'd love to have you as my vet, but across the entire country is a dang far piece to travel and I don't think I could afford your farm call. >vbg< I understand where Lori is coming from and where the others here are coming from. Many of the posters on this have had horses for a long time, I think they don't realize what it's like to be starting out and have to find a vet and farrier that you trust and that really knows his stuff. When I first got Star I used the farm vet and farrier where I boarded. The vet was/is clueless as a log about feet and lameness but is the best in the business around here in breeding. I didn't know that and my horse suffered. The farrier was a backwoodsman who couldn't trim and shoe for anything and refused to trim my horse to match her pastern angles. I switched vets about six months into owning her to a vet who had put himself through farrier school. He was the *best* vet I have ever known, but was injured and can no longer practice large animal. He knew hooves and how hooves changed the way of travel. He shod my horse for several times while we got her stifles fixed. Even now I have my everyday vet who's a great guy, knows a lot, and I'm friends with, but he's not got a lot of time. I have my lameness vet who's a whiz at lameness and does all her CE on lameness. I have my dental vet who's great with an electric file and does his CE on dental and tranqs. I have my I'm clueless as to what the heck she has, but she's just not right vet who I pay an outrageous farm call, but he's from a TB and SB track and sees far more than the guys around here do. He feeds my horse Ricola throat drops before he touches her and she loves him. >ggg< What I'm trying to say is that you have to check on your vets. I pay my regular vet no farm call because he "catches" me when he can, I give him a week and he calls me when he has time. My other vets I pay anywhere from $60 - $100 farm call, but I don't balk. I do not believe in hoof care pros. My horse suffered a 95% tear because of a hoof care specialist. They know only there guru's way of doing things. Hopefully my lameness vet has all the options and isn't working to push a particular brand of horseshoeing. My farrier went to an accredited school and holds certifications. I asked for references first and got some good ones. He's not afraid to try new things and has worked wonders with my horse. Once her feet were good and heel uncontracted he left her barefoot. What more can I ask for? He does CE and keeps up with things. Usually has some neat shoe in his truck that he's using for some client with problems, he only does corrective. I'd much rather have someone who *can* shoe, and shoe well, but understands barefoot as someone rabidly for barefoot and no shoes. I think the horse gets better care! Steph =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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