Okay, so I have been having hoof trimming troubles. No, nothing to do with my saintly horses behavior. It has been with my farrier. Let me give you all some background information on this one…
My farrier’s uncle and my trainer’s family were great friends…they were like family. Growing up I full leased 2 horses at different times in high school. Both times I used my farrier’s uncle because my trainer loved him and he was great. Courteous, nice, and did a great job to boot. I never had to worry. Well when I came back from college one summer I hear a terrible rumor. My farrier’s uncle had brain cancer and was dying. The rumor turned out to be true and a few months later he had passed. He tried to work right up until the day he died because as a farrier you only get paid when you are doing horses.
My farrier apprenticed with his uncle for years. He also took lots of educational classes and went around with some big name/big time farriers. He was young though and was just starting his own business so his uncle started passing him clients slowly. One of the first to go was Gennyral, who at the time was my trainers. He was a bit of a problem child before I got him so his uncle had no issue passing the pony on. When his uncle became ill another farrier “accidentally” let it slip he was dying and got a lot of his clients. The rest were passed on to my farrier.
So my farrier’s load increased a lot, but he was always great to me. Around this time I moved up north to get my therapeutic riding certification and brought my leased horse, Gen, with me. I moved him to this great barn, but it was no where near any of his other clients. My farrier never complained once about driving 40 minutes out of his way each direction just to come up and shoe my horse. He still jokes about the lonely barn at the side of the mountain where I used to board. He always came ever 5 weeks though.
When I moved back down I had a tough time finding a barn I liked. In the span of a year Gen lived in 4 different barns. My farrier always came out though when I called, although there was a while there where he would tease me by calling the day before he came to confirm I hadn’t moved my horse yet again. He is a total wise guy. My horse loves him though and he was always good to me so things were fine. Even after the manager fired him at the barn I was working at I still kept with him (she said he was cruel to her horse…because he made her horse stand up and not lean on him…you can’t see me rolling my eyes but I totally am. Her horse has NO manners).
When I thought my horse was getting an abscess this summer my farrier was at the barn by the end of the day with hoof testers. No charge. He just wanted to make sure everything was fine because he likes my horse. My horse is “one of the good ones” according to him. Then I moved Gen to the barn he is at now. At first he was great…I would call on Friday and he would come out at do Gen first thing Tuesday mornings. Then another woman who used the same farrier moved to my barn…and he was not so good. I had trouble getting him to come out 2 times in a row…it was like 7 weeks between trims. That is much to long for my tendon injured pony. I had heard that he was working with one of the farrier’s he had apprenticed with. I assumed that my farrier just over booked himself, which I totally understand because I do it all the time. And it is not often you get to work with horses going to the Olympics.
So at the end of December it was 5 weeks on and time to call about Gen getting trimmed again. I called…and heard nothing. So I waited a week and called again. And again. The other woman that was using him was getting tired of the 2 of us calling and getting no response. So she gave him an ultimatum. She told him a date and said that if she didn’t hear from him by then that was it. At this point I was starting to worry something was up so I called my trainer to get the inside scoop. The woman I board with also put some calls out to see what was up.
She found out all sorts of stories ranging from his kid being sick, his wife leaving him, him getting a full time job out of horses, and even a story of him abusing drugs. So I didn’t know what to believe. When my trainer got back to me and told me that his wife was stick it made sense. People just weren’t getting their stories straight. My trainers is like family to him so I trusted that is what was going on. So I figured that since my horse was not lame yet it could wait. On the last day the other woman at the barn had given him he called her back and said he would be out Saturday. This was 2 weeks ago.
He never showed up that Saturday. That was the straw that broke the camels back for the other boarder. She called the barn owner’s farrier and used him instead. I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I felt terrible that his wife was in the hospital…assuming that it is true, because I believe it. I kept calling with no answer. It was bad. Finally, last week I couldn’t take it anymore. I text messaged him just letting him know that my horse needed to be done and could he recommend someone for just a singular trim. This one time only…I just needed it to get done. He answered back right away that this cousin was helping him out and gave me his name and number and to let him know I was one of my farrier’s clients.
So I called and left a message. I was so happy…it had been 8 weeks at this point and my horse needed his feet done and now they could get done and I wouldn’t be screwing my farrier over. The best of both worlds. So after a day with no call back I thought “He must just be busy too…I will wait until Sunday and see if he called me back”. Sunday still nothing so I called him again. And still nothing. I called my trainer on Monday to see what she thought about all this. You see, I hate, hate, hate giving up on people when they are in need. Lost a lot of friends when Gen was hurt because I didn’t have the time or money to go out and do fun things for a bit…it still stings a little that people turned their backs on me in my time of need. I know I am better off without them, but I don’t want to be that person for someone else. This is my horses well fair though and I just can’t take it anymore. I am so worried the extra strain is going to start taking its tolls on my horses tendons. It is so bad…here is what one of his feet looks like…
So now I feel like a jerk on two counts because I am giving up on my farrier anyway and because I let my horses feet get this bad. I know it is hard to see with the color of the mat, but there is a nice big chunk missing out of my horses foot…that is going to take at least 2 more trims to go away…assuming it doesn’t get worse. I think the thing that frustrates me most is the fact that my farrier just isn’t telling anyone exactly what is going on. He wont answer phone calls, but he will text me back right away? And is his wife dying? Or is she out of the hospital yet? What is going on. I don’t need to know his whole life story…he is just my farrier after all. I just need him to let me know what is going on.
I (and by I what I really mean is Mrs Mom) am looking for a bare foot trimmer in my area now. I don’t want another farrier. I like my farrier a lot because he is great. He does what I ask and is always wanting to get better and making sure he is doing the right thing for my horse. Most farriers are know it alls…and I HATE THAT SHIT. I don’t have time for someone who needs to tell me why they are perfect. The other issue I have that is going to be the same with all care providers and that is that my horse has issues with some men. I can’t just have a farrier in the area stop in to do him. I have to be careful because some times even the nicest men make Gennyral loose it. And that is scary for a handing stand point. I need someone who can meet me at the barn so I can hold Gen and make sure they get along. I am assuming that most people who do barefoot trims are like Mrs Mom and willing to accommodate me as the owner. I am not saying that I am giving up on my farrier forever. I just don’t know what is going on with him right now and do know that my horse needs help ASAP! So am I justified in being upset about leaving him? Or should I just get over it? I hope what his wife is okay…am I being a jerk for even bothering him about feet at a time like this?
I fired two farriers in a row when they wouldn’t return calls or show up for 12 weeks each. This was when I was working full time at the bank, and couldn’t always take off to be there, so the barn staff had to fill in for me. Both guys just stopped showing up. No wait, that’s wrong — the first didn’t show up; the second showed up to do other people’s horses and skipped over mine. To this day I don’t understand; my horse is easy to work on, and I always paid at the end of the visit, or if they came out unexpectedly while doing other rounds at the barn, I got a check to them within a week.
I would leave him a message saying, “Look, I know things are tough with you right now, but I can’t let my horse fall by the wayside, and so I’m going to have to find another farrier until you can get back to work.” I am way too willing to give people a break, but at some point you get tired of feeling like a doormat. Even if he says he’s coming out on such-and-such day, I would make a tentative appointment with another farrier, because then you get in a cycle of “oh, next week, next week” and then suddenly your horse has gone three months without attention.
Regardless of whatever other full time job he has, he took on the job as YOUR FARRIER. Like any other job, it’s his responsibility to get it done, find someone to cover for him, or give sufficient notice that he can no longer work. Times are tough, but as you said yourself, when you’re a farrier you don’t get paid unless horses are getting done.
Tough situation – but your horses feet need to be trimmed, regardless of personal problems. It is hard to switch to someone else because you have some trust (and so does Gen) in the other guy, but it’s hard as a client when the farrier doesn’t return calls. It sounds like with your horse’s injury that you don’t want to wait too much longer.
I hope the wonderful Mrs. Mom can help you find someone else!
Since you’ve known him for so long, it makes sense that you feel a bit guilty. It’s too bad someone that knows him personallly didn’t help him out by communicating to his clients that he couldn’t take any calls for so many weeks or something – that would’ve smoothed out the frustration for his clients alot. I guess I’m thinking that if he does go back to farrier work when his personal emergency is over, he will have lost quite a few clients.
OK girl- text him again, and tell him that he is in your thoughts. Sometimes just letting someone know you are thinking of them can make a difference. This text is NOT to beg him to come out or call you- it is just a “thank you for your years of time with me and Gen. We will miss your services, and we hope that everything in your life calms down…” yada yada.
Next, I’ll run some searches for you- if you have time, run simple stuff like “Barefoot trimmer” in your specific area. If you come up with anything that says “Strasser Certified”— RUN AWAY.
If you get any other names zap them to me, and I’ll see if they match what i get too. And I’ll email you too….
Today looks to be freaking insane, as was yesterday, and tomorrow. I’ll work on this tonight as soon as I get home and horses fed, and get results to you as fast as I can. I wish we were closer to you, since I just love Gen anyways…lol
Chin up. And maybe start thinking about learning how to do some “touch up” stuff in between trims, so IN CASE something happens again, you are ready to handle it. (Hey- dont swat me!
It is a Just In Case policy!)
Hugs to you-
I would just text him since he doesn’t answer the phone and let him know you can no longer wait for him to show up to do Gen’s feet. Let him know it will be temporary until he can get back on schedule. He seems to have treated you well for years, so maybe he is going through something personal right now and is unable to get to you. In any case he does owe you some sort of explanation if only to say he can’t make it, that’s only common courtesy. So find another farrier for now and see how it plays out.
I would not think of it as firing your farrier… Looks like he fired you. I know there are bad situations, but he could have changed the message on his phone and listed several other options for his clients. He is still running a business. I like my farrier, but I had some issues with him and timing as well. He is a barefoot trimmer and does a really good job. He is also willing to teach you how to do touch ups just in case. I know you will find someone. I agree with Mrs Mom – Learn enough so you can get by if you have to. I need to do the same.
Oh this sucks all around. I know you really want to cut your farrier a break, I would too, but your horse’s feet need to be done yesterday. Genny should be your main focus; I agree with other advice to text or leave a voice message “Thanks, but I’m in dire need of service now. I’m arranging care elsewhere for now, but when you’re up to taking me back on as a client, I’d really prefer to have you handling my horse. Please keep in touch.”
Have you checked on equinesite.com? http://www.equinesite.com/index2.php is the main page. I don’t know if your state is listed, but maybe there’s a nearby one where you could make a post requesting a trimmer for your area? You might get an extensive list of names to call from.
Good luck!
This will sound callous but your situation is exactly the reason why I prefer not to get too close to professionals I work with and especially in the horse world any more. It makes it SOOOO uncomfortable when the relationship starts to fail for whatever reason. You aren’t firing him, he has already severed your relationship. Now you have to find a new farrier and quick. Ask around for a few referrals and get on it. You might not like this one either but you need to get the job done now and can shop again later. You wouldn’t continue to see a Doctor who kept blowing YOU off knowing you needed treatment for (fill in the blank), right? Even if the doctor was a close personal friend you would find another doctor because you NEED treatment!
I’ve been through a similar situation twice now with other horse professionals and it does get easier. You have done it with changing barns – now straighten up that back bone and get on it!
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While I certainly feel for you farrier since he’s having some personal problems, it is rather unprofessional of him (and bad for his business) to just drop off the face of the earth. Like others have said, all it would take is having a friend or even a new voicemail message letting you and other clients know that he is taking time off for personal reasons. I like Sue’s point, that it looks like he fired you and not the other way around. I totally applaud you for wanting to stick with him, and if he gets back to business you still can for the long term. But for the short term, you are still the one responsible to make sure your horse is cared for properly. If that means finding someone else for a while, so be it. Mrs Mom’s the best, by the way.
I went something similar recently. The farrier I and most of our barn used started becoming very unreliable. He would have excuse after excuse. We are pretty far out (40 miles into the desert from the nearest town, which is small itself) and it is difficult to find farriers willing to come to where we are. This guy was our friend. We knew his kids, sent each other jokes, etc. He did excellent work, and then suddenly, along with his unreliability, he started slipping work wise. He would only show up when it seemed he really needed money, and then he would be rushed, and shoes started coming off, angles were wrong, horses started turning up lame, and then, that was it. Telling him thanks but no thanks was hard, and he did not take is well.
It may just be your farrier’s way of telling you it’s time to move on. I had a similar thing happen with a farrier I loved and had for years.Exchanged gifts, friends with his wife, etc. Long story short, he didn’t show up, several times in a row, I’d call and he’d reschedule. We had moved, and I told him over and over, if the drive became too long and it was no longer economically feasible for him to come out, please let me know. He always said, no, it’s fine. He’d been coming to our new house for 2 years with no problem, and had been our farrier for several years before that. We always catered to him! The last time I called him to see what his ETA was, when he answered the phone – he was in Texas buying a horse – we live in VA and he was supposed to be at my house that afternoon! That was it, he never said anything,said he’d call me when he got back – in the meantime, I found another farrier – a wonderful guy, who lives down the road. The kicker was, our now former farrier continues to do my friend’s horse – same distance away, and never said anything about why he stopped coming to us after all those years. Kind of sad, but if your farrier doesn’t think about you after all this time, maybe the time has come to think about yourself and what’s best for your horse. A good farrier is hard to find (and keep) but you’ll find one!!!
I’m late on this one, and sounds like you already have plans.
( Bless you for being concerned about him, and not jumping to conclusions and telling him off. I doubt that’s what he would need to hear.
)
I just wanted to say that moving on, at least for now, sounds like a great idea. HE has made the choice to sever ties at this point. It does sound like he has something personal going on. He does have a right to his privacy. He probably isn’t telling anyone what is happening, because the horse world is a small world, and it will get around, and maybe whatever is happening is too painful. He might not want to be the brunt of gossip, etc. Not that you would do that, but you know how people can be.
He has done great work for you in the past. I would take the advice of texting him (since he obviously does receive those). Let him know how much you’ve appreciated his service, that you hope all is well with him, and that when he is back to farrier work, you’d love to be on his list if possible.
That way he knows he is missed, he recognizes that you are being understanding of his possibly horrible situation he is currently in, and you are not sounding forceful in him having to maintain a farrier relation with you. It totally puts the ball in his court, in a very nice and respectful way.
I know that if I were going thru something traumatic and personal, and wasn’t sharing, it would kill me that people turned away and got upset without understanding what is really going on in my life at that time. I realize that he could put an outgoing message saying he is sorry to be away from his farrier work for now, and that he will call his clients when he is available for work. Who knows. Maybe he himself has a terrible medical issue that he is not wanting others to know about. It’s not very professional to leave your clients hanging, but without knowing the reasons, it’s best to just assume that he is under duress and not thinking clearly to tend to things in a proper manner.
I’d definitely text him and let him know you are concerned for him and are thinking of him, and that you are happy to use him again when he is up to it. You might even ease his unknown burden. Sometimes, by just a kind word or gesture, we can be the bright spot in a person’s day, and not even know it. Maybe God wants to use you to cheer your farrier. It’s an easy text to make, and might mean the world to your farrier. I just think there has to be something pretty bad going on in his life right now. I feel bad for him.
Oh, and I’m glad you found a new person to try in the interim!! Yeah!!
I would FIRE him this instant. Family life and business are two different things. I am a barefoot farrier and have health issues due to an accident. At times I am unable to service my clients. I have their appointments in a book and if I am unable to make it I have made associate friends/ barefoot trimmers/farriers that do equal or better work then I, that I send them and make the appointment for the same day or as close as I can get. This way I take care of my clients and keep them as customers. Most of my clients stay with me because I am their friend as well and I help them with many things when I am there. Most are single/divorced/widowed women on small farmettes.
No matter what the situation is, the horse is your primary concern and without the horse the farrier would not be in your life.
Personally I think your horse is being improperly trimmed by this farrier you love so much. The reason you are missing big chunks of the hoof wall is I believe he is giving you a pasture trim.
This is no good for a barefoot horse. This bears all the weight on the hoof wall itself not the heel,sole and white of the hoof. It is like letting your fingernails grow long then try to walk on them. They bend and break and cause the nail to separate from the quick.
Same thing in a horse.
I would FIRE him and search—-Pete Ramey–Paige Poss–Jaime Jackson—-websites for a CERTIFIED barefoot practioner in your area.
PS…..a horse not liking a man vs a woman is bullshit. The horse will like you if it perceives you as a leader, this is your personna not your gender. Some men cannot lose the predator aura and thus will never be great horse handlers while others do it quite naturally. Brief explanation of my thoughts and views on this situation.
Feel free to email me and querry me further if you feel the necessity. I am in Winchester Va area but know barefoot practitioners all around va. most I have met at clinics and seminars…..
JMB