Make sure to provide a safe working environment, as well as a horse who is safe for your farrier to work on.
- The area should be free of anything that could hurt the horse or the farrier including noisy distractions.
- There needs to be a clean area about three times the size of the horse with no trip hazards.
- This area is best if it is level and clean. If I can’t see the feet my work will suffer. (beware of wash racks which appear to be level, but slope in all directions to the drain, making it hard to see the feet properly.
- Shelter is appreciated when available or at least a wind block or a safe shade of some sort.
- The farrier will need access to their tools, which are in the rig. There should be a reasonably close area for the farrier to park. Ideally in the general area of the horse.
- Make sure the area is ventilated.
- Kids and pets are cute, but remember that this can be dangerous to the horse and farrier if the horse becomes startled.
- It might be important to have the horse cleaned and groomed, but please have the horse dry. There is nothing worse than trying to handle tools with wet slippery hands or have water draining onto you as you work. Dry mud will brush off etc. Also if you brush your horse this might help keep the horse calm but please make sure that the hair is not sticking to your farrier’s nose and clothes.
Respecting your farrier’s time and knowledge shows respect for them as a professional, and increases their job satisfaction.
- Please be punctual or communicate if there is a problem. This should be expected to go both ways.
- The working area should be clean and prepared and the horse caught and ready to work on. (Not out in a large pasture running free and possibly muddy) Remember that the farrier has appointments before and after yours and is trying really hard stay on time with a job that is very unpredictable.
- If you are not able to be there please communicate this as soon as you know it and make arrangements accordingly.
- If at all possible try to be present to catch the horse and be present for the work so that if a problem arises you will be aware of it. It is best if the farrier can watch your horse walk. If they are already tied, then the farrier doesn’t get to see them walk which helps the farrier assess how things are going and what needs to be done. If the farrier walks the horse we can’t see the feet move and assess things.
- Be respectful of the farrier as a professional. You hired them to be professional in matters of the horse and horses feet.
- If you have questions ask, you are paying for their time, skill and knowledge, but know that there is a job to be done here and it is hard to do while having a conversation.
When it comes to your horse’s manners for trimming or shoeing, practice makes perfect.
- The real reason we ask that you clean out your horse’s hooves regularly is not just for the health of the hoof but, now you are aware of how they behave, and good behavior is important. Someone once said that what we do is like trying to give a five star haircut to a 250 lb twelve year old who has severe attention problems and squirms a lot .
- When you clean out the feet, be sure to place the hoof and leg in the “farrier position”. If you simply hold the hoof out to the side, the horse is not becoming accustomed to holding the foot where we NEED it to be in order to do a good job. (ask your farrier to show you how. It will make them happy)
- Be sure to hold the leg in this position long enough to clean it very well and inspect things. Your farrier will be there several minutes (5 or more). Help your horse become accustomed to this position. You might think of this as horse yoga, it takes practice for you to hold a position for very long and the horse is no different.
Listen to your farrier if they voice concerns about your horse or your horse’s behavior.
- This is the farrier’s lively hood and truthfully they can be kicked out of the business at any time. (please don’t expect them work on a fractious horse)
- Not listening to you farrier’s advice is like going to the doctor and not taking the medicine they prescribe.
- The goal is that you and the farrier will become a team working to improve your horses hoof health. This requires real communication and trust, along with patience.