The health of your horse will greatly benefit from regular foot care. Maintaining your horse’s soundness and performance level can be helped by routine trimming and, in certain situations, shoeing. It is essential to choose a farrier that is accepted by the horse and is ready to cater to the specific requirements of each animal. Word of mouth is frequently the most effective means of locating a farrier. There are several resources available to you, including your horse’s veterinarian, industry specialists, and other horse owners.
Considerations: Individuals can become farriers by completing either a formal school programme or an apprenticeship, or by doing a mix of the two. It is expected of a farrier to have an expert understanding of their field. A farrier has to have a strong understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of horses in order to use their farrier tools well. In addition to this, they should be competent to interpret a radiograph image of the hoof. Reading or going to different educational events like clinics, seminars, and conferences is one of the most common ways that skilled farriers continue their education. Inquire with the farrier about the organisations to which they belong.
Expertise- It is important to enquire with the farrier about the level of experience they have in clipping and shoeing horses. How often have they been putting in their time at their craft? How frequently do they get together to practise? Do any areas of expertise exist within their company? Some farriers concentrate their efforts on a particular breed of horse or kind of riding competition. Check to see if the experience of the farrier is suitable for the requirements of your horse.
Watch the farrier’s interactions with the horses to learn more about horsemanship. Do they take the time to observe the movement of the horses and how they fall on their feet? Do they maintain a peaceful and calm demeanour around the horses? Do the horses cooperate well with the farrier and show good behaviour? These interactions have an effect not just on the quality of the farrier’s job but also on the safety of everyone involved.
Attitude: Ensure that the farrier takes pride in their job; doesn’t rush; pays close attention to detail, and is concerned about the health and happiness of both the horse and the owner. Make sure that he is dependable and prompt when it comes to appointments, notifies customers when they are running late and is happy to collaborate with a vet if one is required.
Communication is essential, so go for someone that is easy to talk to and gets along with others. Conversations about the aims of the owner, the requirements of the horses, and the owner’s current financial situation should be included in this. Your farrier needs to be open to discussion and eager to explain the procedure of trimming or shoeing your horse. Ensure that they are accessible at all times, especially in the event of an emergency. Both blacksmiths & horse owners ought to appreciate one another and cooperate when working with horses.
The price will change depending on the location and the requirements of the horse. Inquire with other equestrians in your region about the prices they pay for services that are comparable to yours. You should never pick a farrier based just on price. The importance of the matter is not the price, but rather the standard of the service. It is reasonable to assume that an experienced farrier will charge more for their services than someone who is just starting in the field.
