c/farriers

Refusing to trim a hoof that was already too short

Honestly, the owner got mad when I said no to more cutting. Tbh, showing them the pink line made it clear why waiting was better.

PSA: Hard water in the northern counties can wreck your forge gear

I was up in Mason County last week and the local water supply messed up my cooling system. Had to stop early to prevent damage to my tools. What do you all do when the water quality is bad on site?

Hot take: Seeing more fancy shoes than healthy hooves these days

Back when I started, we mostly fixed feet to keep horses comfortable and working. Now, I get asked for flashy shoes just for shows or photos. It's a gray area for me because the horse's needs should come first. For example, a barn owner once wanted silver tips on all his horses' shoes, but one had a history of laminitis. I said no to that horse, and he wasn't happy about it. Losing that job made me think about how the trade has shifted. I miss when our biggest concern was a horse walking right, not looking pretty. We have to remember why we do this work.

From skeptic to believer: rocker toe shoes actually work

I always thought rocker toe shoes were a bit of a fad for problem horses, more hype than help. But this past week, a client's older gelding with really bad breakover issues wasn't improving with anything I tried. I was out of ideas, so I figured why not give them a shot, even though I doubted it. I put a set on, and when the owner trotted him out two days later, the change was night and day. His stride was longer and he wasn't stumbling anymore, which he'd done for months. I guess you really can't knock something until you've tried it yourself on the right case. I'm adding them to my regular options now for horses that need that specific kind of help.

Question about a neighbor who watches every move during shoeing

My neighbor has a mare I trim every six weeks, and he always hovers close, suggesting I try a different rasp technique. From what I've seen, his way could make the hoof wall too thin for comfort. Take this with a grain of salt, but I'm looking for input on how to chat about this without upsetting him. Any similar stories or tips would help.

Had a disagreement today over hoof testers. My mate swears by checking every hoof, I think it's a waste if the horse isn't lame. What's your take?

Honestly, it finally clicked for me that a quick brush-down of the hoof wall before nailing makes the shoe sit way tighter.

Turned away a job today over horse welfare concerns

A long-time customer brought their gelding in for new shoes. I noticed the horse was stepping gingerly on its right hind. The owner said it was fine and just needed the shoes done quickly. I told them I couldn't work on a horse that might be injured. They left angry, and I'm worried about the horse now.

Dealing with clients who want discounts for multiple horses

I've got a regular client who always asks for a lower price since I'm shoeing three of their horses in one visit. I mean, idk if it's fair because I'm still doing the same amount of work, just back to back. Maybe it's just me, but how do you guys handle these kinds of requests without sounding rude? I usually charge per horse, but they keep pushing for a bundle deal.

Showerthought: When family thinks your farrier tools are for DIY projects.

Maybe it's just me, but should you lend them or say no?

Shoutout to my portable forge for picking the worst possible time to die on me

Had to explain to a terrified horse that I wasn't casting spells when the flames went out.

Serious question: How do you spot founder before it gets bad?

In my experience, founder can start with tiny clues. I had a horse last week that just seemed stiff, and the owner thought it was age. Your mileage may vary, but I checked the hooves and found a faint pulse. I figured it out by feeling for warmth and looking at the sole. After a chat with the vet, we used a different shoeing method. Now, I always add pulse checks to my routine. Consider this advice, but it really helped in this case.