Farriers make me nutty aka: Are you always home for the Farrier?

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=Wellspotted;7765433]
Who said the OP’s mom (and anyone else on this thread) WASN’T paying the man? [/QUOTE]

LOL!!! Farrier, Vet and Sawdust Man (sounds like he needs a cape and a big S on his chest) all get paid in cash or negotiable check on the spot. As well as Christmas gifts, home made apple pies, and extra garden produce/unwanted mean roosters/samples of homegrown beef. Unless of course they come (unannounced) when I am not there. In which case, I will not be there to pay them. It’s a vicious circle

Showing up early for all the goodies may mean you have to wait

ETA: we have finally found that scheduling 3 visits months in advance does actually solve the “why won’t you call us back when we’re trying to make an appointment” problem. And, everyone has managed to remember the appointment (give or take an hour)

[drawstraws]

I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.

[ChocoMare]

When I had someone else doing the trimming, although I trusted her implicitly, I’d never not be there. I wanted to hear what she had to say, point out things I may have missed, etc. Not to mention, to protect her safety. Horses will always be horses.

As a part-time trimmer myself now, there is only ONE client I have that I know I can just go get her ponies and trim them on the rare occasion she’s not there…and she’s the only one I would even offer to do so.

All my others, I want the owner there. I am their and their horses’ partner and we must work together to ensure hoof health. I don’t just trim, take my check and go home. I talk with them, we review diet & environment. I want them to ask questions and I want them to learn and be involved.

[Kerrysmom818]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.[/QUOTE]

The only person who ever suggested I be there - was a trimmer I used for about a year. He trimmed on weekends so not an issue. Otherwise, all of my farriers have had standing appts and although there is barn help around (and at my current barn a “desk person”) - they essentially work on their own. Working full time, I just can’t be there for each and every shoeing. I do leave a check for him and he will text me if anything seems amiss. Love my farrier!

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses.[/QUOTE]

I am curious as well so feel free to turn this thread in that direction. We have always been there to hold horses be they show horses getting “the works” or pasteurized horses getting a trim. I know that this farrier, and previous farriers, have arrangements like that with some clients.

We consider it both a safety and liability issue. My horse can be a giant booger and if someone has to discipline him I would prefer it be us. Mom’s horse, it would not be a concern.

[ambar]

[QUOTE=BeeHoney;7762973]
The best way to get a farrier to show up on time is to be the first appointment in the morning.[/QUOTE]

That’s what I’ve found, too, and that’s what I do.

My farrier is willing to do my horses without my being present (and I gather many of his customers are fine with this), but since I don’t have the facilities to stall them for him (I move the pasture dwellers into a round pen and we work in there), I don’t think it’s fair to ask him to catch my mob without me.

[whitney159]

[QUOTE=Eleanor;7764214]
I miss my last farrier, He would book for every 6 weeks and then email me a few days out that he would be in the area on this day. I would leave him a check in the feed room. He would get my guy from the field bring him in do his feet put him back out and clean up after. Then he would leave me a card with the next appointment date. Email me if there was anything that he needed to talk to me about.

This way I was not waiting around for him and he could just stop in and do my guy when he was in the area. It made it easy and he really like my guy.

I have only used my new farrier once now and not sure how it is going to go, but we will see.[/QUOTE]

For a second I thought you were talking about my old farrier, who I think actually preferred that I WASN’T there. We had the exact same arrangement. Worked great.
My current farrier is awesome like this too, once she’d trimmed everyone and knew they were well behaved she was happy to do without me. Since my filly was born I’ve had my husband there to help, since she is not yet a solid citizen about the farrier.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.[/QUOTE]

I always plan to be there. I prefer to be there. It is not my farrier’s job to catch and return my horses to the paddock.

We simply have an understanding that if he is early he can start without me.

I will add that any time he has been early he has called me to tell me he is there and confirm that he is allowed to start without me.

[Abbie.S]

I treat the timing of farrier appts like I would treat the timing of vet appointments. I never EXPECT my vet to be on time because I know s*** happens: horses don’t cooperate, things take longer than expected, owner’s stick them with “doorknob questions” (the phrase comes from doctor’s offices, where the patient comes in for something benign, and then when the doctor goes to leave, hand on the doorknob, the patient goes "Oh, well there is this one other thing…) and emergencies happen.

I do expect, and this always happens, that my vet will call me if it is looking like they are going to be more than a 1/2 hour in either direction - late or early. Otherwise, I leave myself an hour buffer, 1/2 hour on each end.

So, honestly, unless the OP can guarantee that they are a perfect human being and will never be late (or early, apparently) for anything, ever, I’d let this one slide. Minor stuff, seriously.

That said, I would only feel comfortable allowing the farrier (or someone else) to do my horse without me being present if the horse was a bombproof, tried-and-tried again solid citizen when it comes to farrier work. My old guy was. It was his nap time. My current girl does not fit this bill by a long shot, so I am there every time.

[Sandy_M]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.[/QUOTE]

My horse is at a boarding barn. He also has excellent ground manners. If I change farriers (last time was 6.5 years ago), I’m there for the first time farrier works with horse. After that - I e-mail, asking that horse be done BY a certain date. Farrier shows up, trims and/or shoes horse, leaves bill. I work 40 miles from where my horse is boarded. I’d have to give up at least a half-day of work to be present for shoeing. Don’t do it, and never have. Perhaps I’ve just been lucky to always have horses that are fine with being shod/cross-ties, etc. (?) I mean, we’re talking 45+ years of horses and I’ve rarely been present when the farriers comes to shoe/trim them.

[SmartAlex]

That’s one thing that is difficult about keeping horses at home. Even though I board, it’s at Mom’s so it’s essentially a keep at home situation. The last farrier we “fired” over scheduling issues. Because we have 3 or fewer horses, our scheduling always took a second priority to larger barns. The nearest boarding barn has “old farrier” on a two week schedule. He stops there every other Tuesday or whatever, and BO or manager is on the premises if he needs help with a particular horse. If not, he can manage on his own. List is on the board. Checks are waiting.

[CHT]

I deal with the farrier for my clients. I might ride a horse while he shoes, or be doing something else nearby, but I am always within yelling distance and catch/turn out the horses. I also pay the farrier on behalf of the clients, and then then add the charge to their board bill.

If a boarder wants to be there, they are of course welcome to be, but most of my boarders have day jobs or are in school and it is just easier for my farrier to work on a weekday.

My farrier is booked for every second Wednesday, and he is usually good about texting if he is going to be late. I don’t care if he is early as it just means I might still be cleaning stalls, which really doesn’t matter.

[Mango20]

I’m always there for my farrier (and have used the same guy for the past 33 years!). I make my next appointment before he leaves. I try to get a day I’m off work and try to get the first appointment since he lives near me and that will guarantee he’ll be on time and not push me off to another day. However, usually I’m his last appointment of the day so I get a ballpark “after 4:00” and a phone call when he’s on his way (usually about 1/2 hour notice). I always pay him cash, and I’m pretty flexible to rescheduling as long as he finds some time for my 4 horses somewhere. I think he appreciates those two things.

[Blugal]

I try to be there but also train the horses to stand for the farrier in case I can’t be. I’ll leave them in or near the barn so they are quick and easy for the farrier to catch/tie and work with. I make sure I’m there for new/green/difficult horses.

Otherwise, I expect the farrier to be early, on time, or late. All of those have happened. If the farrier doesn’t show up, then it’s a problem!

[S1969]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.[/QUOTE]

My farrier will not work on a horse without the owner (or barn manager) present.

He tends to serve a lot of smaller, private barns, and there may not be any “staff” present on site. It is dangerous to him personally (in case of injury) and professionally (in case a horse gets loose, is injured, or causes damage) for him to work alone.

I don’t blame him at all, but I’m also glad that I have to be there- because I have learned a lot over time. He is also a farrier that likes to solve problems…not sure he’d like the idea of working at 3-4 big boarding barns/week and never getting to talk to owners and hearing how the horse is moving, etc. So I’m more than happy to have a farrier willing to come for a small handful of “backyard” horses and give it his best effort.

[quarterhorse4me]

My farrier drives 3 hours to do a days worth of select clients in our area. He always come around the same time and sends me a text when he is leaving his last job to head to me. He follows the same schedule every time but cannot reasonably guarantee a definite time.

If I am unavailable I make sure someone is there with him as a courtesy but would have no problem with him shoeing without me. He has started without me and I have left a check in the tack room before in case I couldn’t make the appointment. I do always tip.

[Janet]

[QUOTE=drawstraws;7766177]
I’m curious how many of you have farriers who routinely do your horses alone (you or someone else does not need to be there to get the horse out of the pasture/stall, hold the horse, etc. I always plan to be there to have them ready and babysit them on crossties/hold them if they’re naughty. I consider it safety for both the farrier (what if a freak thing happens and he gets hurt while by himself in my barn?) and my horses (horse is naughty, he reprimands them, horse freaks out and injures itself). This way there’s no blaming the farrier if a horse is injured - I don’t have to rely on his word as to exactly what happened. Like I said before, I adore my guy and trust him 100% with my horses but I would never expect him to work alone. I’m curious what percentage of people are there vs. farrier just doing the job by himself and leaving.[/QUOTE]

I have had the same farrier for 20 years. He PREFERS to work on his own. He tells me what day he is coming, I leave a check in an envelope, put halters on the horses, and leave the horses in the paddock closest to the barn.

Even if I happen to be working at home that day, I go out and chat with him for a few minutes, and then go back into the house.

When I get a new horse, I arrange to be there the first time. But, even with a baby, he is on his own the second time. He says the horses behave BETTER when the owner is not there.

This gives him the flexibility to adjust his schedule, and frees me from needing to take time off from work.

[OTTBs]

I’m almost NEVER there for the farrier. When I needed a new farrier a number of years ago, I was there for the first appt with each of two farriers. My teenaged gelding was BAD for each of them (I figured the first one wouldn’t want to try again.) Then for the second appt with #2 new farrier, when I wasn’t there, he was fine.

[JoZ]

No staff. No cross-ties. No ties of any kind, actually. So I am always there.

[UrbanHennery]

I always try to be home to meet him. But he also knows he can catch my gelding and start if I’m not there yet as I’m usually coming from work for his last appt of the day. He knows I will be there at the appointed time as while JD just chills in the cross ties, I have to catch and hold the mini mule and negotiate with her for compliance. Of course she loves my farrier even more than I do so it’s mostly a formality now - I think his son / assistant could probably hold her at this point.