20/11/2021
ITâS NOT HIM, ITâS YOU
Why your farrier wonât return your phone calls and what he really wants to tell you but never will
** Written by the wife of senior farrier **
I see it ALL the time, people posting on social media, looking for a new farrier because the last one has âdisappeared.â I quietly think to myself, âAnd you wonder why you got ghosted.â Here is a list of ISO farrier ad faux pas that will definitely keep him from responding to your ad or calling you back:
đ¤Śââď¸ Looking for a reasonably priced farrier:
A good farrier ainât cheap and a cheap farrier ainât good. If you mention anything about price or reasonability, etc. youâre off his list. Maybe not for a young kid thatâs starving, but even if he does get your business now, heâll quickly figure out what a bad idea shoeing one for cheap is and youâll fall to the bottom of his priority list for someone whoâs willing to pay what heâs worth.
đ¤Śââď¸ I need a patient farrier, Trigger is sensitive and scared of men:
Your farrierâs job isnât to train your wild brumby. He spends his days bent over, holding up 1000 lb. animals. His body hurts, and the last thing he has time for is to put up with your spoiled donkey. Please work with your horse to pick up all 4 feet and stand quietly before scheduling an appointment.
đ¤Śââď¸ I need someone ASAP:
Dude, a good farrier is booked weeks in advance, has a schedule of good clients and works his schedule around the locations heâs traveling toâŚnot to mention heâs most likely a family man and has to juggle his kidsâ activities as well. So, trimming Trigger tomorrow morning may not be at the top of his priority list, and you might to have to be OK with that.
đ¤Śââď¸ I need a corrective shoer:
One of the things my husband told me when we first started dating was, âI donât believe in corrective shoeing, I believe in shoeing correctly.â All horses are different and need to be shod accordingly. A good farrier has enough education to handle all situations and should have veterinary recommendations for the works heâs done.
đ¤Śââď¸ I keep Trigger on a 12 week schedule:
A farrier is not a magician. A good one can keep your horse sound with REGULAR shoeing. Calling him when feet are grossly overgrown, or you FINALLY lose a shoe is not acceptable. This causes lameness issues and creates so many other unnecessary problems. Keep him on a regular 5-6 week schedule, for the love of God! I tell my husband all the time that he should keep his clients on a schedule and call them when theyâre due, but I canât teach an old dog new tricks. You might find that rare unicorn that does that, but itâs unlikely. Best to just put a reminder to call him in a few weeks to schedule on your calendar.
A few more pieces of advice that seem like no brainers, but youâd be surprised what people donât understand:
đ Donât make him hunt you down for payment. Have cash or card waiting when he shows up.
đ Put your damn dogs away. The last thing he needs is Trigger kicking at Fido as heâs trying to steal a piece of freshly cut frog out from under him.
đ Make sure he has a place to work in the shade, free of obstacles and dangerous objects for Trigger to get hung up on.
đ Things come up and schedules change, but please donât make that a regular thing. He has a schedule to keep and your last-minute cancelation really messes up his day.
đ Donât give Trigger a bath or mud his legs right before your appointment. Thereâs nothing worse than shoeing a wet/muddy/liniment-soaked horse.
đ Itâs OK to ask questions and have convos about your farrierâs plan, but youâve hired him because he is a professional and you trust him. You wouldnât tell your mechanic how to fix your car would you? If you donât trust his ability, find someone you do trust!
đ A little appreciation goes a long way. Most guys donât get a lot of credit for the work they do but they are one of the most important people your horse knows. A simple âthanks for all you do to keep Trigger happyâ means more than you know.
đ Last but not least, as interesting as it is to you and me, he doesnât give one single care to how Trigger is bred, what he ate last night, or his favorite color. I know, doesnât make sense to me either, but he doesnât and nothing you can say or do will change that.
