I gave $40 this year. If he was coming closer to Christmas, I probably would have had some baked goods for him, but he came Nov 21st and I wasn’t quite into the Christmas thing yet.
Nope, I pay him for a couple of trims and that’s it. However, just the other day I really dolled it up and gave a Christmas CARD. I mean just a card, not even the fold over kind. Hey, I got them for free with our embossed name (hubby and I). All the shoer did was tear it open, look for the check, take it out, make sure it was the correct amount and toss the rest on the floorboard of his pickup. So, nope, not going to waste good money or my time concerning myself over this. However, he sure has done wonders for my Sammy’s crooked leg/hoof.
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[QUOTE=The Crone of Cottonmouth County;6695523]
It took me years of trial and error before I finally found a decent farrier. I’m a now a devout member of the Church of Farrier Butt-Kissing, and lavish upon him princely sums every Christmas. I consider it money well spent.[/QUOTE]
Amen, sister. Except why wait for Christmas? I frequently provide 6-packs of “the fancy beer” as well as shameless, shameless flirting.
I AM my farrier! Right up till I busted my leg:(
Now I am paying a guy. A very good guy. And I tip him a little every trip. Because I only have 3 trims, and he’s been kind to accommodate me. I will also do something extra for Christmas.
I know, from experience, its not expected, but always appreciated! Whether a simple card, food, gift card or home made item, I love that my clients do something for me:)
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My farriers (husband and wife team) will be getting baked goods and maybe some homemade beauty scrub for her.
I’m a newlywed college student…they’re under no illusions that we’re rich and can afford cash tips…but, they’re absolutely AMAZING people (seriously…they send email appointment reminders…AND show up EARLY for our appointments! If our appointment is at 3pm and I show up at 2:55, I’m usually late!) and I farm sit for them regularly so I try to give them some ‘extras’ when I’m caring for their critters to make up for it 
I gave my old farrier lottery tickets. My new guy, who is awesome, is Mennonite, so I don’t think that would go over well. The gas card is a great idea - and I can mail it, since he’s not due to come until mid January.
[QUOTE=saddleup;6695434]
No. I make this great recipe for a sweet Chex/Crispix mix with cashews, m&m’s and coconut that is really killer. He asks for it every year. I give it to my vet and his staff, too, and they tell me that’s the reason I get such good service…so I’d better not stop dropping it off every year.[/QUOTE]
saddleup, I would love your recipie for the Chex/Crispix mix. I tried to PM you but couldn’t access it due to the new format. Thanks!
Here it is:
In very large bowl mix: 4 c. Rice Chex, 4 c. Crispix, 8 oz. flake coconut, 1 can salted cashews
In heavy saucepan over medium heat: 1 c. butter, 1/2 c. light Karo syrup, 1 1/3 c. sugar. Bring to boil, cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour over dry mixture and mix well. Stir in about 2/3 c. red and green M&M’s. Spread on waxed paper to cool.
Store in airtight container. I’ve heard it lasts several days, although it never has at my house! I put this in cellophane gift bags, tied with a ribbon and horse-themed tree ornament.
Guaranteed to make your vet or farrier, trainer or BO have a merry Christmas!
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[QUOTE=Duckz;6695706]
Amen, sister. Except why wait for Christmas? I frequently provide 6-packs of “the fancy beer” as well as shameless, shameless flirting.[/QUOTE]
Oh, I’m right there with ya. He never leaves my farm without a freshly-brewed double espresso in a go-cup, and if he is particularly punctual in an emergency I always overpay by $20 or $30. Although if I tried to flirt with him he’d probably bust a nut laughing.
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Saddleup, Thanks much.
What are Crispix? Is it a type of cereal?
Yes, he gets a bit extra in his check, though I always tip him an extra little bit with each visit; because he is on time 100% of his appointments and has never canceled in 5 years. Additionally, he is extremely patient with the horses and takes the time to accomodate those with lameness issues since I have a barn with retired horses.
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Yes, Crispix is cereal. Made by Kellogg’s.
I always try and be generous to my farrier. He does an amazing job with all my horses. No feet no horse!! Just saying…
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YES, I do!! But I do this pretty much year round. Not each time he comes here, but most.
I make him cookies, brownies, my famous eggnog (no alcohol), or have him to lunch at my house. I cook lots from scratch. He is a good taste tester of many of my foods. Many times when he comes out, and I am out the door with warm cookies out of the oven for him in hand. Yes, really. Last time Snickerdoodles. Many times his teenage son comes with him, I think he is 19 years old now. I really like my farrier alot. He does a great job. He says I make biscuits as good as his grandma used to make, and he knows no other person who has ever duplicated them, until me! I will take that as a compliment!
He has a family, so when I make stuff I usually give enough for him to take home. Many times he asks for the recipe.
He is the absolute BEST farrier in the area. So I aim to make sure he keeps coming back.
Farrier work is a physically demanding job. If my farrier retires, and only does a few horses, I want it to be mine for sure! But I like him any way, whether he does my horse foot work or not.
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I’m in the camp that also tips a small amount every time my farrier is out. I also bring him a Mt. Dew (his favorite) each time. My farrier was taking no new clients and only started working on my horse when I moved my horse to a large training barn he worked at. He’s continued to work on my horse even after I moved him to a different place and I’m very thankful that he comes for my one horse. He’s been fantastic in working with my horse’s vets (like when he had some ongoing mystery lameness issues a few years ago). For Christmas I will give a slightly larger tip (which he will reluctantly take) and some baked goods in addition to his Mt. Dew.
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Yep! I really, REALLY appreciate having someone good who shows up on time because a lot of the farriers around here are unreliable primadonna pains in the ass 
. Mine has come out twice in the last few months for unscheduled visits-- once to put a shoe back on after the vet pulled it for an abscess and once when I thought he had another abscess. He refused to take money from me either time, so he got an extra $150 in his check at our appointment the other day.
He also comes out to my place to trim 2 horses and shoe one, so it’s not a huge moneymaker for him. If I were at a big boarding barn, I’d be inclined to tip less, but I’d still tip for sure. I think when I boarded one horse I normally gave my guy $50.
Ok, so $50 per horse seems right.
Does your tip amount matter if the farrier has an apprentice or not? (i.e., would you give more since it’s 2 of them?)
This is an old thread, but I am just so dismayed by how many said “I pay my farrier enough money all year long, he gets no more money from me”. My farrier is great, one of the best in the area. And yes, I pay more for that and he is worth every single penny! Because I have had the low priced ones and their work reflects their charges - not worth it! My horses deserve the best I can give them, not the cheapest. I do tip my farrier $50 every Christmas along with some homemade goodies and I let him know all year long how very much he is appreciated by telling him so. Let’s start valuing our farriers!
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My farrier is the best! I went through 3 of them the first year I had horses, she’s #4, has been trimming my horses for two years now. I sewed her a lap quilt for Christmas this year.
Yes. The past few years I’ve given $100, but this year he is getting $120 because he came out most of the year just to do one horse. Plus, a tin of homemade chocolate chip cookies.
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