Re: Farriers

[Ruth Bourgeois <ruthb@tdsi.net>]

My farrier was just out this week to shoe my horses, and we got into a
discussion about scheduling, making apppointments, etc. for the
remainder of the season. I am very lucky to have this terrific farrier,
who is a certified journeyman. He does the farrier contests, continues
to take courses and also teaches, and currently works for ISU Vet
College doing their corrective/emergency work. He does hot shoes for my
two, and they've never had such nice, correct fitting shoes. He used to
shoe part-time (just cuz he enjoyed it!), but farmed full-time. Now he's
quit farming and has so many customers that he can't take on any more.
Some people have been having trouble getting appointments, and when I
told him I was concerned about this, he said not to worry, he'd always
fit me in. The ones he may not fit in - or has dropped - are the bad
customers. He told me that he has more problems with the people than the
horses. Most horses are reasonably well behaved. It's the people that
drive him nuts - those that try to tell him how to do his job, that
don't pay when he does their horses (or within a reasonable length of
time), that don't provide a decent place to work, etc. 
When I moved to my current location, six years ago, it took me four
years and trying out 6 or 7 farriers to find one that did a good job,
was reliable, showed up when he said he would, and wasn't overly
expensive. I'd sure hate to lose him now! (I found this one through the
vet college)
It was interesting to note that when we put shoes on my 11 year old mare
the other day, for the first time this year, her hoof size had increased
so that now she's wearing a size one shoe (same brand as last year). I
thought her feet looked like they were getting bigger! To me that seemed
like an indication of how good a job this farrier did last year with her
feet.
Things that are important to farriers are: train your horse to stand for
the work to be done (it is NOT the farrier's job to train your horse!);
have somewhere for him to work that isn't cluttered with stuff that'll
get in his way; a safe spot to tie the horse if that's how you normally
have it done; be there if necessary to hold the horse and have it ready
when the farrier arrives (caught, halter on, mud scraped off); be there
with your checkbook or cash when he finishes. And schedule well enough
in advance - don't expect to call your farrier the day or two before the
horse's shoes are ready to drop off and expect him to come immediately.
I try to schedule the next appointment when the farrier finishes the
current one. Generally you can predict pretty close how soon you'll need
him again, especially if you keep a calendar and note length of time
between trims/shoeings, weather conditions, etc. My horses don't grow as
much during the hot, dry summer as during early, wet spring. I also look
at my ride schedule and try to fit the shoeings in so that the horses
will have at least a few days on their new shoes before a ride. 
Ruth
PS - the things that are important to farriers are also important to
vets. You get a good one - treat them good!!! Make them feel
appreciated!