Slowly Dying
I am slowly losing it but still making time to ride my horse which is keeping me going. I'd like to say the week is a little slower, and then the texts started rolling in. Running my own pet-sitting business without a mentor to follow? Difficult, definitely difficult. I should probably find one of those. But good news is that whatever happens on Friday for Chevy's x-rays will be able to be paid for. I'm really looking forward for Sunday though - Hunter Pace day!
If only my horse would stop losing shoes. This is the dilemma that I am trying to focus on instead of the crazy schedule I have created for myself. I love the farrier that I've been using the 8 or 9 months and he is the best of the best in New England. I'm lucky he offered to help me out after Brantley's feet got a little out of hand. The farrier I had before, who is like family, had been going through some health issues and we just couldn't get on the same page. Brantley had been tripping and falling on himself and refusing jumps, just seemed off. So I took a chance with the other farrier and Brantley has been awesome... But constantly pulls shoes.
I really want to call my original farrier who had been doing such a good job up until the switch and see if we can give it another go now that he's feeling better, but I don't want to take the chance of losing the other farrier because... I will. He's already said it. He worked really hard to get Brantley back to where he needed to be. And he has been going great... I'd love to be like, "Well he has shitty feet so no wonder he keeps losing shoes" but that is definitely not the case. Ugh... #farrierproblems
It'll work out, it always does!
Sunday is going to be crazy because between all of the houses I have to take care of (plus a small horse farm), I have a bridal shower too. Part of me just wants to play hookie and not go. But, of course I said I would take pictures. And I'm also a bridesmaid... But I don't really want to go. Urgh, I'm a horrible person aren't I? Once again, it'll work out, it always does!
Alright, on to other things. I wanted to send a shout out to everyone who commented on my moving post. I think the plan is just to save up a bit more and pay off my credit cards... Which I'm "almost" done... And then rethink the situation. Unless something happens in the interim and I get an offer that I can't refuse right?
posted by Madeline C. @ 6:36 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
There are way too many good farriers in RI/surrounding areas to put up with him losing shoes like that. That'd be enough for me to switch, past be damned. If you've brought up the lost shoe issue to the farrier and he hasn't adjusted something/fixed the issue in a couple cycles if be all set.
Sounds like a good plan
Going to chime in on the #farrierproblems (they are literally the worst!) and say don't rush to switch!
Something changed with your horse's feet using the other farrier, something that affected his ability to move comfortably and confidently. The initial farrier may be a good friend, but it's not worth putting your friendship under strain if the same thing happens again. Farriers tend to pick up bad habits when they leave school/their apprenticeship. Suddenly they're not accountable, their work isn't being scrutinised anymore. Over time, they can get a little sloppy and it could well be that your friend isn't being quite so careful to get the right shape, balance or whatever. He could be shoeing your horse short- shoes stay on BUT hoof is compromised.
This other guy, being a really great farrier, has got your horse going comfortably again, and whilst lost shoes are inconvenient, your horse's comfort is paramount (not telling anybody anything they don't already know here!). What I would do is find out how the horse is losing shoes, is he just stepping on them and they're coming off? Is he sticking his feet in the fence? Or whatever, and go from there. Maybe an extra clench will do the trick, or maybe it will just take time for Brantley's feet to grow into a more natural shape. If the other guy was making him uncomfortable, you can bet the shape or balance of the foot is out of whack. Leaving a bit of extra shoe at the back allows a bit of room for the hoof to expand, improving circulation and foot health. It does mean more chance of the horse stepping on the back of the shoe and tearing it off, but eventually the hoof will be in a condition where your farrier can fit the shoe a little more snug without restricting the heels.
Sheepskin lined bell boots/overreach boots are a godsend!
If you ask the other farrier if there's anything he/you can do to help keep the shoes on and he is evasive or dismissive, then maybe look for someone who can provide you with a better service, but I wouldn't want to switch from something great to something good when it comes to hooves. They're so important!
Of course, that's just my suggestion and you have a greater idea of the situation than me so if you really feel like you should change farriers because the continued lost shoes doesn't seem quite right, you would be perfectly right to do that :) (oh my gosh, sorry for the novel!!)
I had a farrier who was great but Fiction kept losing shoes. I switched farriers and that immediately stopped. I'm 100% positive that the prior farrier just wasn't taking his time with setting his shoes because I haven't had a problem since (until this year with yet another new farrier but the lost shoes are def. not his fault). I would suggest finding another farrier. Constantly lost shoes is a headache you shouldn't have to deal with and it shouldnt be just passed off as 'bad feet'.
Good luck! Hopefully it all works out - esp w the horses feet! Also I'm not quite sure how I feel about a farrier who says they won't work with me if I use any body else... Seems... Idk. Not quite right.
I 100% agree with this comment!
Feel you on the shoes though....UGH
Post a Comment
Brantley & I would love to hear from you!
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home