This article is written for the horse owner on how to get the best service from your farrier, as well as some tips on your role in the caring of your horse’s feet. The average visit starts with the owner/trainer making the appointment with the farrier in which the farrier is expected to arrive at the time arranged. This is reasonable to expect as well as it is also reasonable for the farrier to expect that the owner/trainer be prepared at that time. Remember the farrier allows an allotted time for each horse in order to make it to the next appointment. The farrier would also expect to be able to perform their task in reasonable condition in order to be able to do his or her best work. This is of course beneficial to both parties. Following are some tips on how to get the most from your farriers visit.
Make sure the horse is ready for when the farrier arrives. Do not leave him in the big paddock expecting the farrier to wait whilst he is being caught. If the horse is not easily caught allow extra time before your appointment.
If your horse has mated up with another horse bring that horse in as well to be close by when being worked on.
If flies are present have an adequate supply of fly deterrent handy.
If the horse is to be shod at feed time be sure to have the horse fed before the farrier arrives (not during the appointment).
Provide good facilities to have your horse shod. A flat shaded area free of any loose objects is best. An adequate tie rail if the horse is to be tied. It is right for you to expect the farrier to take pride in his or her job, however it is unfair to expect this when he/she is expected to shoe in the mud for example.
Do your best to make sure your horses are accepting of the farrier. Your farrier is there to shoe the horse not to train it.
The pictures below depict unsatisfactory and ideal shoeing conditions.
The after care of the horse’s feet lies directly with the owner/trainer. The condition of the horse’s feet is reliant on the conditions in which it is kept whether shod or barefoot. Horses kept in constant wet conditions are more likely to suffer from diseases of the feet such as seedy toe and thrush. Horses kept in these conditions are also more likely to lose shoes.
Lost shoes can be the result of many factors, some of these are:
Inadequate fencing (dog wire or loose bottom strands are the biggest culprits)
Over reaching.
Shoe pulls with opposite foot.
Badly shod or shoes not adequate for feet and conditions or activity.
Kicking (of a stable wall for example)
Over due to be shod
Prolonged moist conditions i.e. wet paddocks, dams etc.
It is highly unlikely that the shoe “just fell off” soon after being shod and often if the shoe is found you will see the obvious buckling or twisting of the shoe or wire scratch marks where the horse has had its foot caught.
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