I need a good farrier

[ParkAvenueEquines]

I've been through a few different farriers, and only one of them was I a fan of. She was our original farrier back in 2006, but she retired in 2007, and we've been looking for a good farrier since. I've had a farrier hit my horses with a rasp, one that didn't show up to our appointment (and subsequently never returned another phone call...) and one that was good, but wasn't overly willing to work with my one horse, who is less than good for the farrier. I have four horses, two of which are good for the farrier, one that is fairly good tied in a barn, though a bit kicky, or snatchy, and one that has never seen a farrier because of trust issues. So I need a patient farrier that is willing to work with horses that may be difficult to trim. I'm willing to pay a bit extra in travel costs for the right farrier. We have our horses out at Sylvan lake, west of Red Deer.

Oh, and the elderly lady that owns the property has an old foundered gelding who is not being trimmed, so a farrier that can correct (or help) his scoopy feet would be a bonus as well. A different farrier than the one above is fine as well.

[FehrGroundRanch]

Hey,

My farrier is an excellent farrier and he is willing to travel. However is a horse is going to kick at him and put him in any sort of danger he is not afraid to give them a smack, that is just something that has to be done to keep themselves safe. If you were the one standing under a 1000+ pound animal I'm sure you would react the same way. I don't mean to sound snappy or rude but people give farriers way less respect than they deserve, IMO.

Anyways, Bari, my farrier is very good! He has worked with my friends stallion, was never really had much foot work as a three year old, and some issues. He did give him a few smacks. He has never once raised a hand to my horses, however they all stand perfect for the farrier. He has done corrective trimming for me as well. If you would like his phone number feel free to PM me and I will forward it to you!

[Sarah]

http://americanfarriers.org/find_a_farrier/country_results.php?pageNum_Recordset1=5&totalRows_Recordset1=102&country=8

Try looking here. It says Africa but it is actually Canada. Sorry, it took you to the last page. Just hit previous.

[JezzaBella]

If you were closer I'd give you my guys' number, he's the one who got my ex PMU girl quiet with trims. Other doods did NOT have the skill, experience, patience, or understanding to handle her. He would never raise a rasp to her, but she'd never require such drastic measures (she's terrified, not bratty or aggressive). He also trimmed a colt here with cataracts, and a very stubborn araloosa gelding. Took him quite a while training with both, which he didn't charge extra for or give the owners attitude about.

Sometimes a horse needs a repremand, but I also think a farrier should take the time to disguss what treatment is appropriate for YOUR horse. All too many are too handy with the rasp as a weapon (or other objects). I have a serious beef with farriers who don't take the time (minutes, literally) to get to know new horses, it's all about production and $$$. I actually have a lot of beefs with farriers, I plan on learning to do my own trims.

I dunno what I'm gonna do when my guy retires, he's gettin up there I'm sure it's gonna come soon lol.

[ParkAvenueEquines]

Thanks for the replies guys. When the one farrier hit my horse with a rasp, it wasn't because they were kicking or threatening to, they were fidgeting because they had had minimal work done with regards to farriers. Add on the fact that all four of my horses were rescues, and you add a big no to hitting them with a rasp. If my horse is kicking at me, I give him a firm smack, and he gets it, just did that yesterday actually... That one's big and likes to throw his weight around, but knows when it's time to listen, as long as you're not afraid of him, he's fine. After the incident with the rasp, I managed to get my retired farrier to come out, and he stood fine for her. The last guy I had out handled him well, but his trim job was not up to par. I really do need one that is willing to take the time with a horse that hasn't seen a farrier before. He's a four year old that was completely untouched when I got him as a yearling, the vet couldn't even geld him until he was nearly 2 years old and that day was very eventful. He's calmed down a lot since that and he picks up his front feet great, his back not so much, I can rasp his front feet, but he'll need time with a new person before he'll let them do it. And I have two horses that are good for the farrier, though the one tends to loose his balance if the farrier is slow. It like a variety pack of horses, lol.

FehrGroundRanch I may just pm you in the near future!

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