I’ve been unsatisfied with my farriers work for quite some time now. He shoes all horses the same if you stand them side by side it’s very noticeable and he’s just not open to anything I have to say he just blows me off. The trouble is, he’s my good friends husband and I’m not sure how to go about firing him without causing a riff. Does anyone have any reccomendations on how I should go about this? I feel like it’s going to be a bad situation no matter what I say. 

Thats why I try to avoid hiring friends hubbys or friends for certain things!  I want to always support and help anyway I can.  But if its long term like shoeing I dont do it.  I know this doesnt help you now.  Sorry you are in a pickle.  But the welfare of your horses falls on you not your friend.  If the shoeing not right your friend not gonna pay for the damages.  Maybe tell them both at the same time that its not working out and nothing personal tho they probably will take personally.  and if she true friend she should understand not all shoers for all horses.  Hope that makes sense! Good luck

Ask youself:

- are you having issues with lameness?

- are you having issues with soreness after shoeing?

- are your horses stumbling a lot? 

- does anyone else who uses this farrier have issues with lameness / soreness?

If you answered no to these, what is the problem besides the horses looking the same?  

I typed in a hurry last night and should have been more specific. She is stumbling a lot during our runs, one of them I almost fell off and ended up breaking pattern because it was so bad. 

I’m also paying significantly more than other reputable farriers in our area. 

"My horse seems to be travelling differently lately. I've noticed a lot of stumbling and since I have ruled out EPM and lameness issues I'm thinking we need to change her feet. If you are willing to try something new for her I would really appreciate it! If not, I would like to explore the option of hiring someone new."

OR 

"Thank you so much for all of the hard work you have done with my horses, I really appreciate all of your effort. I hope there are no hard feelings but I am going to be hiring a new farrier. That being said, I hope this can remain professional and doesnt cause a rift in our personal friendship. I would love to have you and Jane Doe over for dinner soon, you just let me know what works for you! Take care."

Not farrier, but same sort of experience with vet.

Friend who kept her horses at my place - her dude was a vet. Because he was there a lot for her horses and I knew of him from years past, and I was not attached to any particular vet at the time, I started using him. This vet and my friend were not evenly matched in any part of their personalities and he liked to get her going on stupid stuff about her horses. Her 3yo filly came up with a hock injury and he told her not to give it bute because it would give the filly ulcers. OK, we all know that long term use of bute can cause ulcers. But bute is specifically for reducing inflammation in an injury type situation such as the filly had. Anywho - there were already several issues from the situation and this was just the last straw. HOW could I ever use a vet who had given this poor filly such bad treatment just to get at his girlfriend? I could not find in my mind how to even approach the subject with her since she had become defensive about EVERYTHING equine with me. I let them both go. Oh, and he was charging me more than the average customer too, along with a $65 farm visit, even when he was going to be there treating her horse/s. 

It sucks to lose a friend over this, but a good lesson learned for the future. I hope you can find a way around the issue without losing your friend. But I would be looking for a new farrier since your horses have no choice in this matter and need to be properly cared for. 

I'd have front hooves x-rayed.

Before you get rid of the farrier I'd invite another farrier out to meet with you and discuss your needs.  It would be tough to get rid of the farrier that is your husbands friend only to find out everyone else in your area would be doing the same thing.  If you meet with a new one you think will be a fit then it would be time to discuss with your farrier you'd like to go in another direction. 

Sticky situation but you are paying him to do a job and do it right.  If you're not happy and he's not listening then it's time to move on.  He may be just as happy to not have you as a client as you are to not have him as a farrier and you both can remain friends. 

So your saying he's not shaping the shoe to the horses hooves? that he just slaps a shoe on and shapes the hoof to the shoe, since you are saying he pretty much shoes all horses the same. , thats pretty much how I'm seeing this. How long has he been a farrier? I know a few new farriers kinda do this way of shoeing untill they get more experince under their belts. 

Yes exactly. He’s a newer farrier been doing it for a few years. My mare was never tripping or stumbling before I started to use him so that’s another negative to add to my list. 

A view point from the monkey in the middle…

My husband is a farrier and he used to shoe for one of my very good friends. I won’t go into details because we did have a falling out over it and I ended up with an angry husband and lost a longtime friend. So here is my best advice…

Talk with him directly about your concerns and be prepared to have an open and honest conversation. He just may tell you there are a few things that you are doing (or not doing) that could be causing foot problems too.  Be present and pay attention while he is there shoeing your horses. Ask him questions. Show him what you are concerned about. Listen to his answers. Allow him to explain so you understand and know why he is doing something the way he is.  

If after talking with him you still have concerns, then it probably is time to look for a new one. You have every right to make the best choice for you and your horse.