Right to Expect

"What To Look For In A Horseshoer"

by R. J. Sagely

A few expectations that every farrier should be willing to live up to from a farrier who tries to do so.

Having read numerous articles about what the customer should do to keep the shoer happy, and very few about what the customer has a right to expect, I felt a need to write about what I believe are some expectations every professional farrier should be willing to meet. The list is not a long one. I may even end up the target of some flame throwing by the brotherhood. But the world of equines is already populated by far too many people who shoe for some very wrong reasons and who do not need to be putting horses at risk the way they do. So I'll slather on some more flame proofing and have at it!

Number One - The shoer should genuinely like horses. It would seem that this would be a given yet it is most certainly not. Judge as best you can, I have not found it hard to figure out when the shoer really does not like and therefore respect the animals. Do not use someone who does it solely "...cause it's good money!". It should be, if not a passion, at least an enjoyable and intrinsically rewarding thing to do for the shoer. Kind of like being a high school teacher.

Number Two - The shoer should have some kind of formal schooling - an apprenticeship to another shoer, an eight week course at a shoeing school or a year course at a college. This education should include an ability to talk physiology and function of the hoof and leg, as well as just plain knowing how to do a good job trimming and shoeing. Two week wonder courses are seldom sufficient, eight weeks is barely enough time but would be enough for many individuals just starting in the profession. Membership in an association, brotherhood, guild or union is not critical, it should speak to a level of expertise but sometimes does not. A desire to learn and keep learning is an absolute necessity and a clear presentation that they know their stuff is essential.

Number Three - The shoer should, first and foremost, be a horseperson. This is not a very easily defined quantity or quality, the bottom line is that the shoer should be able to do the job with relatively little trouble and upset to the horse. The horse is an excellent judge of horsepersoness (neat word, huh?) in people. If you have a "problem" horse when it comes to shoeing, I would suggest that what you really have is a "problem" shoer. Find someone who does not have a problem shoeing your horse. These people exist, I am one . I have been called by countless customers with "problem" horses only to be finished in 45 minutes and hearing, "The last guy took two hours and did not do the hind feet!". If the shoer is not "up" to your horse's level of need, find another shoer (or find another horse, I think the shoer would be easier). A farrier should not be expected to be a "trainer" and to teach your horse about having his feet handled. However, a farrier should be able to do this and you should be willing to pay for the time and expertise this person has to share with your horse in this regard. If they cannot, then don't let them make things worse for your horse. Handling feet should not be an ordeal for your horse.

Number Four - The shoer should be punctual and call if there will be more than a thirty minute late arrival and you are actually waiting for him. Things happen to delay a shoer but consideration is a commodity that should be sold with the service. And nowadays they have these great gadgets called cell phones.

Number Five - The shoer should be willing to listen to the owner's concerns or suggestions. Then, the shoer should act on them or be willing to educate the owner as to why it should be done another way. This is a two-way communication street and requires sensible behavior from both parties. A shoer who won't communicate with you about the why's and wherefore's is plain not doing you the service you are entitled. If you are an educated owner (and you should be) then what the shoer wants to do should make sense to you and should not cause any tension between you. There should not be any tension in this deal, not between horse and shoer, not between shoer and owner (or paying customer, as they should always be though of).

Number Six - The shoes should stay on for four to five weeks without too much trouble, depending on how the horse's feet grow and on how the horse is used. This is a sliding time scale. On occasion, a shoe will come off for the best of shoers. Do not accept excuses like, "His feet are too dry."; "His feet are too thin."; "His feet are too soft."; "His feet are too...". There are reasons for a shoe coming off, the shoer should be able to figure it out and do something about it. A chronic inability to keep shoes on your horse is a cue to find another person to do the job. A freshly trimmed horse should not be lame for "a few days". Nonetheless, sometimes a farrier will misjudge a horse and sometimes what worked last time for a trim leaves a horse tender for a few days. Regardless, a consistent lameness in your horse for "a few days" after every farrier visit is cause to evaluate that person's skills. Farriery is expensive and you cannot afford the loss of use that way. But do give the shoer a little slack if they are generally "doing right".

Being about the second most important person in your horse's life, the shoer you choose should minimally possess the character and ability that you would expect from someone caring for your children. Horses are as dependent on you for safety and proper care as are your children, you should take appropriate measures to provide for them. The six things listed above are minimal expectations, whatever else may be necessary will be evident to you the more you think about it and the more you are around shoers and horses. Often I hear about how hard it is to find a competent shoer. This is true for many areas of the world and not by any means an acceptable excuse for using someone that cannot meet these minimal criteria. If you cannot find someone to do the job right, maybe it is time to learn how to do it for yourself. If you have ever attempted this job, that alone should be a thought that will spur you on to find a "good" shoer for your horse's sake. No foot, no horse is a simple truism. Maintaining that foot takes a very special kind of person. I wish you all luck in finding them, for your horse's sake.

*Disclaimer:
Horsemanship is an inherently dangerous practice and horses are inherently unpredictable animals. The person attempting to follow any suggestion from Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship is to do so at their own risk and assumes full responsibility for themselves, their horse and any others in the vicinity. There is no guarantee of success or safety for human or horse in utilizing any of the practices or strategies for horsemanship suggested or promoted on this site or by Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship directly.

If you have any question or comments about what you find on the site, feel free to contact me at sagehorseman

This material and any attendant photo illustrations are copyrighted © 2007 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited.