Must you be present during your farrier’s visits, or are your horses manageable in cross ties or a rope across the back, as @luvmyhackney mentioned in her post?
I’ve got that type, too, although either I or my husband have always managed to be present. But, two of my neighbors had times when they left a check, and the farrier managed fine (and I’ve had a previous, now retired farrier that we all used for many years offer to do the same for me). Having really well-behaved horses (and a trusted farrier, of course) helps.
I know that it can be tough to get one out for less than a barn full, which why I’m very fortunate to have my next door neighbor’s horses done immediately after mine, and I’ve also recommended him to another person nearby. Is there anyone else in your vicinity with whom you can schedule farrier visits in close proximity, to make it worthwhile for one to travel to your area for your few?
Another thing, which isn’t applicable in OP’s situation but might help someone else, is that we’re very flexible as far as short notice. Since we all only get trims, we are worked in around our farrier’s other jobs – for instance, we don’t have an appointment set weeks in advance. I text him when our collective horses are coming due (say a week out), he might tell me which day is most likely, then he contacts me when he’s in the area, with very short notice (15 - 45 minutes) on the day (helps that our studio is only five minutes away), and I give my neighbor a heads up.
Swinging by here to trim easy horses is worthwhile to him when he can fit in a quick, no-hassle trip between other, larger clients. He’s a great farrier (first met through a veterinarian) that we’re lucky to have, and this flexibility is our accommodation to get him out.
