S6E Shoeing - Farrier

07/05/2026

05/05/2026

Being a farrier isn’t just “coming to do the feet.”
It’s a physical, technical, dangerous job, with huge overhead, responsibilities, and constraints.
So no, respect doesn’t stop at saying hello.

1️⃣ You present a dirty horse

Feet caked in mud, a soaking wet horse, dirt stuck everywhere…
It damages our tools, makes the job harder, increases the risk of slipping, and reduces precision.
Would you go to the gynecologist with a dirty ass or to the dentist with bad breath? No…
(and if the answer is yes, you have a problem 😂)
It’s the same for your pony: when it’s time for their hoof appointment, their feet should be presentable.

2️⃣ You don’t bring your horse in

If your farrier has to run around the field to catch your horse, that’s not normal.
Some people may accept it, but that’s not our job.
We come to work, not to be the groom.

3️⃣ You present a dangerous horse without warning

We will always try to adapt when a horse is sore, worried, or struggling.
But a dangerous horse that kicks, pulls away, lashes out, or is unhandled without any warning is a different matter.
We work around the feet: one kick can be devastating.
Knowingly putting us in danger is not acceptable.

4️⃣ You force us to work in an unsuitable area

You want precision?
Then you need to provide the right conditions: flat, stable, clean ground, and a sheltered place to work.
We cannot do good work on uneven ground, in the wind, or in the mud.

5️⃣ You send messages at any hour

Not having office hours does not mean being available 24/7.
We have a life, a body that needs recovery, a family, and admin to deal with.
And even in an emergency, it’s not going to be solved at 11 p.m. on a Sunday.

6️⃣ You don’t pay your invoices on time

Our bills are due on fixed dates.
Our suppliers, insurance, fuel, equipment — everything has to be paid.
So when you delay payment, it’s not “just forgetting.”
You directly penalize the tradesperson.
Ask yourself one thing: how long would you accept working without being paid?

03/05/2026

New advertisement poster Done by Indigo Customs

03/04/2026

We just wanted to remind everyone that we do not stand for bullying towards ourselves or to services we work with. We understand that life at the moment isn’t easy for anyone and we are all feeling the pressure. Please remember to be kind and respectful otherwise your service will be terminated

25/03/2026

Due to the continued rise in fuel costs, with prices now reaching $3.09 per litre, S6E Shoeing will be implementing an adjusted fuel levy effective immediately.

As a mobile service covering large distances, fuel is a significant operational cost. This increase is necessary to ensure we can continue providing a reliable, professional service without compromising on quality or scheduling.

We understand that price changes are never ideal, however this adjustment reflects the current economic conditions and allows us to maintain the standard of work and service our clients expect. We have increased our fuel levy by $5 with the current fuel prices, this will be subject to change if the fuel prices keep increasing.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support and again abuse towards us will not be tolerated.
Cheers
Jon
S6E Shoeing

15/03/2026

I saw someone advertising $50 trims today and had a bit of a moment… Because $50 is exactly what I charged when I first started trimming as a beginner back in 2010. Out of curiosity I went and looked up a few of my costs from then compared to now.

Turns out:
👎rasps have doubled
👎petrol has roughly doubled
👎👎insurance has tripled
👎👎housing has nearly tripled (and borrowing power has decreased per $1)

So when people say “trims used to be $50”, they’re not wrong... but that was 15+ years ago. In simple dollar terms, $50 in 2010 is the equivalent of $75 today given CPI, or roughly about $100 today to keep a similar operational margin. And that would be for someone starting out, just like I was then.

That doesn’t even begin to factor in experience. This is equivalent BEGINNER pricing. Someone with 10, 20, or 30 years in the trade is bringing a completely different level of skill, knowledge, and problem-solving ability to the job.

This isn’t a dig at apprentices either (everyone starts somewhere). It’s just a bit of perspective on how the economics of running a mobile trade have changed over time. When pricing doesn’t keep up with reality, people burn out and leave the industry, and then everyone struggles to find a farrier. Just some food for thought next time trim prices get compared to “what they used to be”.

(And yes… I also remember when unleaded first ticked over $1/L back when I started driving. Those days are long gone. These days I had to cut operational costs somewhere so Bundy is for special occasions only now.😅)

03/02/2026

It's important to understand your horse's hoof anatomy so you can communicate clearly with your veterinarian and farrier when problems arise.

These diagrams illustrate the hoof's internal and external components.

Read more: https://myseniorhorse.com/fun-stuff/anatomy-physiology/horse-hoof-and-foot-anatomy/

27/01/2026

Hoof Abscesses: Before vs After Rupture

There is ongoing discussion online about how hoof abscesses should be managed, particularly after they have already drained. I’d like to clarify this, because the treatment goals change once an abscess has ruptured.

Before an abscess ruptures

When an abscess is still sealed within the hoof capsule, the goals are: to
Relieve pressure
Encourage drainage
Reduce pain

After an abscess has ruptured

Once an abscess has blown (for example via the white line, sole, frog, or collateral groove), the situation is different:

Pressure has already been relieved
The primary source of pain is gone
The abscess is no longer “trapped”

At this stage, the goals become:

Keeping the drainage tract clean

Preventing environmental contamination

Allowing the tract to heal from the inside out

Avoiding prolonged maceration of the frog and sulci

This is where ongoing wet poulticing is often overused

There is a widespread belief that pus must be “drawn out” for many days after rupture. Many comments related to this after my last post about an abscess in a mare at my livery.

This idea applies to sealed abscesses, not ones that have blown and I did some research and found :

Once drainage has occurred-

There is no longer pressure driving pus deeper

Continued soaking does not remove more infection

Prolonged wet conditions can delay healing and soften healthy tissue

I shared that I packed the sulci with hoof clay.

Soft, non-occlusive materials (including clays or charcoal-based products) used lightly after rupture are not inherently “blocking” drainage. They can:

Absorb moisture

Bind debris

Reduce contamination of an open tract

This is very different from sealing an abscess closed.

In summary I learned-

• Before rupture → encourage drainage
• After rupture → protect, keep clean, allow healing

22/01/2026

I ask today if people can please bear with me today as I haven’t slept much worrying about my mother who is currently in ICU in Toowoomba, not the phone call you want after you finish work. All appointments are staying the same but I may need to answer my phone to my father during the day.
Thank you for understanding

14/01/2026

🌧️ Wet Weather Reminder 🐴
With the mud around, please ensure hooves are cleaned out and a dry, level area is available for us to work in. It helps keep both horse and farrier safe and allows us to do the best job possible.

These requirements are non-negotiable and are in place to protect the safety of both horse and farrier and to ensure quality workmanship.
Thank you for your cooperation.