farrier appriciation thread

[dbdg]

just thought it would be nice to show a little appriciation for all those farriers out there. lets say what we like about our farriers.

i love my farrier. He is willing to come to my house and put a package on my mare or just trim the pasture ponies. He is very accomodating to my schedule. what more could a girl ask for. plus he is very knowledgable and affordable:)

(i liked this idea) ps. my farrier is Larry Miller of New Paris Oh

[smorrow923]

For the most part, I've had amazing farriers! My show horse farrier, while slightly undependable and heinously expensive, did his job better than anyone I've ever worked with. My current farrier (I just do trims now because I don't show anymore) is inexpensive but still trims and takes the time to make sure angles are right and all is well. I can call him today and he'll be here tomorrow(even though he is very busy). Plus-he's good at conversation! No awkward moments of him working and me holding horses trying to think of something to say!

[Mainmom]

My farrier took my foundered rescue horse to his own home, watched him 24/7, trimmed, re-set, tried umpteen different shoeing combinations, along with a special feeding regimine......whatever it took, for almost 6 months, he and his wife were the real caretakers! Today, with stronger feet, he is healthy and sound as a dollar! One year ago, this horse had one hoof on a banana peel, and one hoof in the grave.

We love you Bill and Caroline! :wub:

[TaWanda]

First and foremost -- my farrier is KIND and PATIENT with my horses -- from my babies to my geriatric stock. Secondly, he is ALWAYS here when he says he will be and he doesn't charge me an arm and a leg. And third, he also shoes all 8 of my therapeutic horses at our center and same goes there too but he does it cheaper just to keep the kids riding..
He's just an all round good guy. He is a true jewel and one of a kind.

[Supreme69]

I use two different farriers and am very pleased with both. The one does a fantastic job on my horse(I take my horse to him) and the other is very dependable, always calls back, always shows up and is always on time.

Jana
Cres-Or-Lar Stable

[ChSkyWatch]

Where do I start?

The things that I like about my farrier is that he has an overwhelming amount of knowledge backed up buy a ton of talent. He is always trying to improve and says that he learns everyday. He once told me that when you find a job that's fun, then it's no longer a job. He says he really enjoys getting up every day to work on horses. He travels to shoeing clinics and contests all over to compete and give demonstrations. He also goes to some of the top Universities in the nation such as Texas A&M to teach students in Vet school. I think that anytime someone takes time out of their busy schedule to help others learn and to learn themselves is very important! Not to mention in most cases they could be under a horse earning a paycheck rather than a bill for traveling!

My farrier also has a therapeutic endorsement from the AFA which not a lot of Farriers have. He is also very quiet with a horse, and takes his time and never gets frustrated. I've never seen him use drugs to shoe a horse! He's also a great conversationalist and usually has a good joke or two!

Another thing about him is he puts me on a schedule and calls me to set up appointments, rather than me calling him to set one up. He is always on time and usually a little early which I really appreciate!

I could probably go on and on...but most of all my farrier is a great friend!

Eric

p.s. my farrier is Jeff Ridley from Leighton Iowa.

[Charms]

My farrier is James Lawrence. He keeps my horse and good order in every aspect. He is also my trainer, advisor, personal cheerleader and best of all my buddy. I am so thankful for him and his wife Lisa. They have really made showing horses enjoyable again.
James is knowlegable, patient and kind to the horses he shoes. He always tries to help the horse be the best it can be. He refers to all of his show string as his "champions". My horse has really improved under his shoeing, training and care. He works really hard doing his farrier work in the mornings and training in the evenings and has to be tired but he never shows it. Always with a cup of coffe in his hand and a smile on his face. :thumbup1: James, we appreciate you.

[rhettdgn]

I have an awesome horseshoer, he's is probably one of the best all around horseman that I can think of. He's always thinking of different ways to help horses that have some really major problems. He is an incredible craftsman and can handforge any kind of shoe imaginable. I used to question him about this and that, afterall if you want to learn something you have to ask. In the past it always seemed like my horses had to "work into their shoes" it would take 2 or 3 weeks to have them go the way you knew they could go, but not anymore. He'll put their showfeet back together and that sucker will go right back to work. That amazes me. I love my horseshoer, he hates when I say farrier, literally I do love him, matter of fact I married him!!!!!!! Seriously, he is very talented and always has a million jokes to tell you, quite a character.

[challrise]

My Blacksmith "Sponge" is my best buddy. He started shoeing for me when I was 14 yrs. old and is always there when needed. Over the years he has introduced me to 2 of my trainers and meeting the second I was able to win Louisville with Buggar and Sponge has helped me to raise the 3-yr old I have now and he will be going to The Royal for the UPHA Sweepstakes. I am so lucky to of met this man to get me to where I am today with the horses. Buggar had problems with his back legs and Sponge figured out Buggar had to be braced against the wall when shoeing his rear and even made special back shoes and look what we were able to achieve; I went above my life dream and my Farrier was a part of that! :)