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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
  
| Last fall after fighting with lameness, doing research, and talking with people who have been around the same block, I switched farriers. The new guy is very knowledgable, talks through everything, and my horses are moving better than they have in a long time.
My vent is that we set up an appointment 6 weeks ago when they were trimmed for Sat. He said "if you don't hear from me, get ahold of me during the week before the appt." So I messaged him and he got back to me. "Um I have a clinic, will next week work?" GAH!! Really?? If you knew you had a clinic and the appt has been scheduled for 6 weeks, wouldn't you call the person to work out a new time? The appt is on a digital calendar that he takes with him everywhere on a tablet and his phone, so it's not like he lost a paper version.  |
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 Member
Posts: 34
Location: Buckeye, AZ | Finding a good, reliable farrier was almost impossible for me.. So.. I went a learned to do it myself. Horses had to suffer a bit on my learning curve unfortunately, but we are all for the better now. |
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 Jr. Detective
 
Location: Beggs, OK | Be thankful that you have found one that keeps a schedule, answers your messages, and is willing to work with you.
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | frustrating, but at least your frustration is with a schedule and not a lame horse. |
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Impressive!!
Posts: 1954
Location: Idaho | Farriers are few and far between. We've been threw our fair share. Luckily almost 3 years ago we found one that I've been so pleased with. Not only does he return my phone calls, he is EARLY each time he comes, plus he handles my babies so well, is willing to talk to me about my horses feet and we make sure it is a TEAM effort. My horses run faster and soundner since using him. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | My farrier was here yesterday. This is only my 2nd year with him. He doesnt text, email or Facebook but I leave him a message on his home phone and he calls me back promptly. Its an amazing feeling after the hell I went through with the last farrier. My daughter told the new guy yesterday that she was going to make him a Facebook account that had his name and Professional Farrier....The guy that calls you back! I know it sucks Rae but be glad he didn't forget you and he'll be there in plenty of time for Lincoln. |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I think my biggest issue is that I scheduled him exactly so that my horses would be right on schedule to be re-done before our next big race.
I AM super happy that they are moving good. Now I just hope they are as good shod as they are barefoot. |
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 Underestimated Underdog
Posts: 3971
Location: Minnesota | My farrier is Pete Houck, him and his wife own Houck Horse Company up here in MN. He's a very in demand farrier and very good at his job. He has rescheduled with me a couple times but you know, I don't mind. I know he's busy and I would rather reschedule then have someone else work on my horses. Should your farrier maybe of called you to reschedule, yes but honestly these guys and gals that do this for a living are so busy and probably don't have a lot of free time to remember to make a phone call. I'd say if your farrier is great at his job and this doesn't happen every time I'd just let it go. |
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 Always Off Topic
Posts: 6382
Location: ND | rachellyn80 - 2014-03-19 12:58 PM Be thankful that you have found one that keeps a schedule, answers your messages, and is willing to work with you.
yep....... |
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 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | I know it can be frustrating. I went thru idk how many farriers in about 5 years. They either took forever, didn't show up, couldn't keep a shoe on, couldn't keep them sound. It was horrible. So I went back to my Amish guy. Yes, I have to drive 45 minutes each way but it's worth it knowing they are level and sound. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | After reading the posts on this thread, my farrier is AWESOME!!!!! Has a paper schedule book, & it's usually me texting him to be sure of the appt. & he texts me back promptly!! Gets along with all my horses. Shows up when scheduled & has even worked me in when we needed a new horse trimmed!! & I only refer him to others when he approves it!!! Gotta keep in good graces!!!!
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I've had my fair share of farrier problems. More so bad work then no shows.
The guy that shoes for me now never schedules when he is here. I think he does for other people. But I can't garuantee what days I myself will be available because of the nature of my job.
That being said, we have a great plan. I text him two weeks before my guys will need done and we go back and forth once or twice until we work out a day, and he's never been late without a text. Not to mention he does amazing work.
Try talking more with your farrier if you are happy with the work he is doing. They get swamped busy just as easily as any other person. Did he offer a reasonable day to reschedule?
I think I need to start baking my farrier some cookies.....I did put the torpedo heater in the barn for him last time since it was 20 degrees outside....and as much as he offers to do my horses without me being here, I always make sure I'm here to hold them. |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Nateracer - 2014-03-19 12:11 PM Last fall after fighting with lameness, doing research, and talking with people who have been around the same block, I switched farriers. The new guy is very knowledgable, talks through everything, and my horses are moving better than they have in a long time.
My vent is that we set up an appointment 6 weeks ago when they were trimmed for Sat. He said "if you don't hear from me, get ahold of me during the week before the appt." So I messaged him and he got back to me. "Um I have a clinic, will next week work?" GAH!! Really?? If you knew you had a clinic and the appt has been scheduled for 6 weeks, wouldn't you call the person to work out a new time? The appt is on a digital calendar that he takes with him everywhere on a tablet and his phone, so it's not like he lost a paper version.
I'm sorry but John is busy and too far to drive....LOL |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | You are dealing with a farrier thats why. LOL, he doesn't have a secretary to keep his appointments. My farrier will say he will be out between 8:00am and noon, which usually means 1:30! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 302
| I have the best farrier ever! I have used him for 15 years and he has never rescheduled. He comes while I am at work and I either leave a check or he is just finishing when I get home. He does a great job and I am very fortunate. I do not want the day to come when he decides to retire.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
Location: Texas | Lucky!! At least you have a farrier! My farrier just moved 3 hours away!! I might wind up hauling my horses to him. I have had 3 differnt farriers in a year and whenever I find the PERFECT farrier he moves!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | Most "farriers" have other jobs as well because actually being a farrier for a living is too "hard." lol This is a running joke between my husband and I because people always ask him what "else" he does. He shoes only barrel horses.....everyday in central/south TX. We have a specific farrier software program on the computer. We log in every horse that he does, print receipts and schedule appointments so there is never any confusion. It is just like any other business. Most of them are just lazy........  |
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Farrier vent