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Farriers - Good Work but Difficult To Schedule & Talk To?

Horse Care
#1

Hi, hoping for some insight.

Farrier that does amazing work with my horse’s feet but is difficult to schedule with and regularly doesn’t come out until 8-9 weeks instead of 6 weeks. When he does come out he’s not pleasant to be around (think asks questions then makes judgmental, passive aggressive comments) he is like this with everyone. Due to this I started having my BO handle the appointments (she does do most of the boarders anyway) since he does do great work but I hate having to be around him. Works well until I’m trying to get him to come out and the BO wants me to reach out to him and he takes 2 weeks to text me back. All while coming out to the barn and texting back the BO about other things. If BO texts him about scheduling my horse he gets back to her quickly due to her handing over much larger checks than just the one horse I pay him to do. I’m getting frustrated. Do I try to keep him because he does a good job and it’s hard to find good farriers where I am, or do I say screw it and start looking for another? I’m usually of the mindset as long as the work is good I’ll deal with the person but regularly getting to 8-9 weeks and how frustrating he is to be around and schedule with I feel like I’m hitting my limit.

My last farrier before I moved in May 2024 we’d have the next appointment scheduled before he left (for 6 weeks) and we got along great and was super easy to talk to. Is this normal or do I need to ditch him and find someone else?

#2

It would be great if you could get the farrier to schedule the next visit as he’s finishing up the current one. (My current farrier/trimmer does do this and it’s really great). But, leopards don’t change their spots, people run true to form, etc., which is to say that he’s probably not going to do it for one client nor will he suddenly change a lifetime’s worth of work habits.

I’m curious: if he does many of the boarders’ horses at the barn where you board, does he not just have a standing appointment to come out to attend to all of the horses at once? Or is each individual boarder scheduling appointments on multiple days?

If it’s the latter, maybe you could have a conversation with the BO about co-scheduling with at least a couple of the boarders and thus making it more worth the farrier’s while to answer texts or calls promptly.

Finally, maybe think about having a conversation with the farrier in which you directly say, “hey, you know, I think my horse could really stand to be on a six week cycle. What do you think?”

Several of the farriers I’ve dealt with have been grumpy or even downright unpleasant and difficult. The main thing is, that if you like his work, try to be very professional with him and appeal to his professional side. You’re paying him for a service and for his professional opinion, and you can ask him about why he seems to think that 8 to 9 weeks is okay for your horse. He doesn’t get to end conversations before they start by being so unpleasant that you don’t want to deal with him.

7 Likes
#3

He does about 3-4 horses a visit and does about 12-14 horses in the barn. He knows she’s on a 6 week schedule just doesn’t care to come out at the 6 week mark. He won’t make an appointment more than about a week or two before they’re due. I really prefer making the next appointment before they leave but he doesn’t work that way. I asked the barn owner about getting her on a schedule with the others and she told me I need to talk to him so I texted him and he’s already been out to the barn since and is going out later today again and still hasn’t texted me back but is responding to BO. Which is why I asked BO so she could talk to him while he’s there but she wants me to handle it and it’s hard when he doesn’t text me back.

#4

It is hard to give advice with no idea what the pool of farriers in your part of the world is like. Are there other options that do a reasonable job? Does anyone at your barn use a farrier that the work is good and is easier to schedule with?

It is hard for me to imagine how a nine week schedule ever describes as amazing work.

3 Likes
#5

Life is too short to deal with standard farrier operating time.

Is your experience normal? Yes and no.

Most of the farriers I knew in my youth were similar to what you described in one way or another.

I moved out of the area as a young adult and the majority of farriers in that area conducted themselves more professionally, making appoinments and keeping them, remaining professional, etc. I thought farriers in general finally “got it” and realized their rouge practices were bad for business.

I moved back to the area where I grew up and was surprised to find, nope, farriers didn’t collectively have a wake-up call. All the professionalism I saw was a regional thing and a lot of the farriers around here still do whatever the heck they want. Show up whenever, if they show up at all, don’t return calls, etc.

Honestly, the main reason I keep my farrier is because he makes and keeps appointments and isn’t a jerk.

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#6

We have a good amount of farriers but most can’t correct low heels/NPA and that’s a need for her right now. They do just very basic work. But especially trying to correct hind hoof angles she shouldn’t be going to 8-9 weeks. When he actually comes out he does a great trim and shoeing on the front. All the horses in the barn he does have very correct looking feet which is huge to me and he’s fixed angles of multiple horses who have come into the barn. I know how hard it can be to get someone who actually fixes the angles and it makes me so hesitant to switch. Especially with how snappy and sensitive he can be I don’t think he’d take her back if we stopped using him.

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#7

Yeh I dunno but I would be frustrated with the situation and would probably look for another farrier. The fact that you have to walk on eggshells for the farrier and he seems pretty dismissive is not cool in my books. You should be able to ask questions and schedule appointments. Is your horse shod or barefoot?

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#8

Front shoes

#9

:thinking: Does he limit his appts to 4 horses per visit?
Any way you can get your mare into one of those “3-4” visits?
Apologies if I missed this: do you pay at the time of service or leave payment if you can’t be there?

I’ve dealt with Diva farriers, but fortunately, have had the same guy for 20+yrs.
I try to pay when he’s there (horses are at home), but sometimes have to mail payment a couple weeks after.
We schedule his next visit at the same time he’s there & we’re both good about contacting to cancel or reschedule.
My only issue is he works with his son… Who’s a non-stop whiner :roll_eyes:
I’ve learned to never ask son how he’s feeling :expressionless:
Oddly (or maybe not so) on the rare occasion son arrives by himself, he’s a different person :smirk:
That’s how I learned:
He played in a band
He lived not far from me before I relocated from Chgo.

In your situation, I’d tell BO you’ve tried doing it her way & no success. What does she suggest?

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#10

This. Or are you the only one on a 6 week schedule OP? Is that the issue?

If he’s prompt and cordial with your BO, can you just have them schedule and hold for you? You can just tip them for the trouble.

I know you said he’s helping the NPA, but distortion starts at THREE weeks for most horses. You’d be making way more progress on a 4 week schedule, or at most 6.

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#11

If it were me, I’d try to be there for one of his scheduled appointments and bring coffee and a snack. I’d tell him how much you appreciate him and the work he does. I’d ask what I could do differently to encourage him to do my horse more frequently.

There is a farrier who comes to my barn to shoe. He doesn’t do my horse but I always offer coffee or water. He says I’m the only person who ever offers him anything.

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#12

I had a farrier exactly like the OP. Rude, terrible with scheduling, but great work. I tried your method. Then I realized - why am I going above and beyond just to hopefully bribe the bare minimum of professionalism out of someone I am paying for a service?

Found another farrier instead and have not looked back.

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#13

I had a farrier that just talked sh*t about everyone and anything (some of it wasn’t even true), was hard to schedule with, and just wasn’t a person I cared to be around. His work was good, but not exceptional. I found a lovely farrier that did great work and was just such a chill character and never looked back! He also scheduled our next appointment at the end of our current one. He was great…and then he decided to leave the trade (can’t blame him!).

Current farrier also does good work, plans ahead, and is decent to his clients. He always follows up if a horse has an issue.

I’ve always thought that I could tolerate whatever if as long as they do great work, but there are farriers out there that do great work and are decent to be around. They’re not a dime a dozen, but worth their weight in gold if you can find one. I don’t expect unicorns and rainbows, but sh*t talking every client and person in your life isn’t my vibe (in reference to previous farrier). So it might be worth a look at what else is out there. Otherwise I’d be hands off and let the BO manage it.

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#14

When my farrier started working on my horse, I asked for my horse to be done/put in his calendar every 6 weeks. I keep track of when he’s coming (it’s always the same day of the week) and I have my check/cash in hand. There’s no need “to be scheduled”. It’s NOT complicated. I’d find a farrier who knows how to use a calendar or a smartphone!

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#15

Yeah, OP’s farrier doesn’t respect them as a customer, and probably as a horse owner/person either. The farrier works better with the BO because they respect her as a fellow industry professional. Or they’ve bonded over gossiping about the clients :roll_eyes:.

Respect isn’t earned by begging or playing overly nice. Being cordial and fair? Sure. Offering someone a water or a fan with no expectations of a change in behavior is fine - but you won’t bribe this guy into fixing his business practice and attitude.

If BO is handling the other boarder horses, OP, why are you being asked to contact and hold on your own? Are you asking for something different from everyone else, service or scheduling-wise? That may be the core of your issue. I’d either “get with the program” and let BO handle it, or find someone else.

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#16

I’d be hunting for another farrier before this guy makes it so you HAVE to find another. I had one just like this and was always on the fence about finding another. I so wished I had when he left me a page long semi-abusive letter about how he couldn’t stand coming to my barn, trimming my ponies, or anything about me or anything else lol. I always paid day of service, never bothered him AT ALL as he was notoriously surly (and had a rep as such) and my ponies were easy to do, no drama. No idea what set him of.

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#17

I would not tolerate that.

And I would argue about doing “amazing work” if he doesn’t see the importance of keeping the horse on the schedule that the HORSE NEEDS. Farrier work is about what that horse needs. A good farrier knows that.

I’m very thankful for my farrier, and yes, my next appointment is booked before I walk out the door.

Now, I also haul to my farrier. I understand that not everyone is in a position to do that (don’t have a trailer, can’t get off work, etc etc) but he’s a good farrier and I don’t want to use anyone else. He’s been my farrier for 12 years now.

I can’t even imagine a farrier who doesn’t want to answer questions? My farrier usually gets long winded when I ask him a question, LOL.

In what other industry would we (as the customer) would tolerate someone unwilling to answer questions?
Would you allow your waiter or waitress to be rude to you and not answer your questions about the food on the menu?
Would you allow your car mechanic to not answer questions about what they fixed on your vehicle?
Etc etc etc

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#18

My old farrier didn’t really like it when I asked questions. After my last appointment with him, he left a note on my stall door (lol at least it was short) that I needed to find someone else.

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#19

Why is your BO being a dick? You’ve asked your BO to handle it. They agreed. Now they’re passing it back to you despite them having success and knowing you have difficulty?

If you have to do it yourself, it’s time to find someone new.

If you can get your BO to actually do what they said they would, carry on … but I’d question the quality of work for your horse’s particular problem when they’re not willing to set and keep a tighter schedule.

If you truly feel stuck, you need to be ridiculously proactive. Start texting 3-4 weeks before the week you’d like your appointment. Continue texting until you get an answer with an appointment date and approx time. Carry on with this until (probably forever, sadly) farrier gets smrt and starts setting the next appointment as you hand over payment for the current one.

1 Like
#20

Totally agree with you… BUT… in many areas farriers have us over a barrel and they know it. There’s a reason these guys don’t have “normal” jobs.
I’ve had farriers who didn’t like questions, no matter how I asked they took it as criticism. And others who I got along with just fine.

OP, I’m with some of the other responders, why the pushback from your BO about being on the same schedule as several other horses?
Also, your horse is barefoot behind and you want to keep up on angles, might be worth it to learn to trim yourself.

7 Likes

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