BalancedStride.com/FAQs/Farrier FAQs

Information that applies mainly to the Farrier Trade, but of interest to others as well.

Why is getting along with horses important? | Have trouble doing horses? | farriers become frustrated or angry?

Why a horse poor mannered horse? | Poor to shoe horses | Good to shoe horses | Solutions for lack of horsemanship

Why you need to know about horse's feet, legs & proper care | Four basic types of hooves | The proper shoe

What is a Farrier

far-ri-er/ Far' -re -er/ n. var. of farrier from L ferrar (ius) smith from L ferrum iron. med. L often ferrus horseshoe. 1: one who shoes horses or a shoeing smith. 2: one who has the care of the hoof of the horse. 3: formerly, a veterinarian, esp. of farm animals. syn. blacksmith, horseshoer, farrier. Blacksmith is a general term applied to anvil-workers, most of whom do not shoe horses: horseshoer and farrier are roughly equivalent; the later denotes a higher degree of skill or training. Also see anvil, forge, pritchel, hardy, blacksmith.

To become a farrier, as stated in the definition, not only involves a higher degree of skill or training but also experience and education. The work of the farrier involves four interrelated components:

1. Science

2. Art

3. Labor, and

4. Horsemanship

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SCIENCE The following term applies to the farrier.

Science or sciences (noun) -- branch of systematic study especially of the physical world.

Anatomy (noun) -- science dealing with the structure of organisms; the art of dissecting bodies to determine their structure.

Physiology (noun) -- 1. Science dealing with the functioning of living matter and beings. 2. Functional processes in an organism.

Pathology (noun) -- The study of diseases and all of its manifestations, esp. on the functional and structural changes caused by it.

Bacteriology (noun) -- The scientific study of bacteria.

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Other sciences involved with proper farriery practices are:

1. Metallurgy

2. Physics, and

3. Mechanics

Metallurgy (noun) -- The science of separating metals from their ores, treating metals and compounding alloys.

Physics (noun) -- The science dealing with the properties of matter and energy.

Mechanics (noun) -- 1. The science of mechanical forces and motion 2. The science of machinery and mechanical appliances.

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The two sciences which are absolutely crucial to understand when applying proper farriery are the anatomy and physiology of the equine foot and limb.

Equine anatomy and physiology:

1. Should be the first thing learned, prior to the art and labor.

2. Keeps horse owners out of trouble.

3. If owners do not pay for science they do not get it.

4. How does the horse owner know if he/she will get science when hiring a farrier? a). His/her knowledge of the subject. b). Credentials of farriers and veterinarians. c). If the farrier knows science does he/she practice it? Or are they allowed to do so?

5. The most lacking part of farriery.

6. They are fundamental to correct shoeing and hoof care.

7. They are variable to the needs of the individual horses and their respective conformation as well as prior hoof care (or lack of).

8. Schools are generally very lax in teaching the science portion of farriery, there is a lack of understanding of the subject matter.

9. Science, art and labor are very interrelated, veterinarians are sometimes lacking here, most veterinarians are nor farriers. They might know their anatomy but are unable to apply and/or understand the art and the labor of farriery.

10. Science can be the most expensive to learn.

11. The lack of knowledge of anatomy and physiology is the reason for most of the lameness or unsoundness in horses: a). Stress. b). Conformation. c). Unsuitable for the job they are asked to do. d). Improper horseshoeing.

All of these things are directly related to understanding equine anatomy and physiology.

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ART

Art (noun) arts;

1. Any system of rules and traditional methods for the practice of a craft, trade or profession; the application of knowledge and skill.

2. Branch of learning.

3. Creation of things of beauty or works so produced.

4. Skillful workmanship.

5. Ingenuity = skill or cleverness in planning or inventing.

Art as it pertains to farriery:

1. Each farrier has his/her distinctive style which is alright as long as the horse's natural function and physiology are not hampered; art should enhance or add to, not take away from.

2. If farriers truly believe in the Science and Art of farriery and know that the purpose of their service is to protect the horse's serviceability (usefulness) and longevity then they are more likely are to be honest and ethical farriers.

3. Farriers cannot buy art, it must be learned.

4. A farrier using manufactured shoes is not reaching his/her full artistic potential in the farrier profession.

5. To practice art, one must have a large inventory of tools and supplies.

6. What happens in many cases, is that art is hung on a wall instead of nailed on the bottom of a horse's foot.

7. Art can only be expressed when you have good quality tools and they are kept in excellent condition.

8. Art takes the most time to learn; it is like a paintbrush -- owning one does not make you an artist.

9. Art cannot be practiced and applied properly without knowing the science.

10. Art can be observed and evaluated fairly easily by horse owners, but it is very hard to learn and apply for the farrier.

11. Art is hopefully something that is practiced, evaluated and improved upon every time the horse receives hoof care.

12. Farrier art is commonly what is left out of hoof care procedure, why? a). Expense. b). Knowledge. c). Time. d). Lack of appreciation.

13. Art can also be confused with labor by the horse owner.

14. Farriers have gotten away from providing science and art, it is expensive, hard work and in most cases, only the horse "knows" when it has been left out.

15. There is more art involved in handmade shoes.

16. It is art to keep a horse sound.

17. The hardest process to teach is proper fit ... (along with: proper shoe, proper nail placement, and hoof prep) it is an art that takes time to develop and understand, and it must be practiced to know that it works (Basic Fundamentals).

18. Art is the least practiced part of farriery in most cases, however it takes science to make art effective and it takes labor to apply them both.

19. Art is the skill of farriery.

20. How do you know if you are getting art in a shoeing job?

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Labor

Labor (noun)

1. Bodily toil for the earning of a livelihood.

2. The class of persons engaged in that toil.

3. Hard work.

4. Physical or mental effort.

5. Task.

Labored; laboring; labors (verb) -- Work especially with great effort.

Some thoughts on labor and farriery

1. Most people who are familiar with working hard with their hands and body would agree that shoeing horses is one of the hardest and most physical things you can do to earn a living.

2. Labor is the easiest to learn, understand and observe.

3. Even if a horse is not neglected, was good footed and was well mannered, it would still be hard to shoe this horse.

4. The value placed on shoeing jobs by most horse owners is based on labor rather than science and art.

5. Labor is the "visible" and most recognizable part of a shoeing job for most people. Most people who pay for a shoeing job get labor but not the science or the art, they are "ripped off".

6. Even if you know science and art, you must still be able to produce labor to apply them.

7. Statistically, over 90% of horses are shod poorly; why? The less labor the more profit.

8. Doing hoof preparation requires the most science; art and labor of the shoeing job.

9. Everyone who shoes horses must produce a certain amount of labor. It is the "common denominator" of all shoeing jobs regardless of the quality of the work.

10. Don't pretend you know science and art without labor. If you know more than you horseshoer then you don't need him/her. If you "think" you know more, but truly don't, then he/she doesn't need you.

11. "If you shod one horse well, you shod horses that day; If you shod ten horses poorly then you did not shoe any horses." -- Mr. Paul Haulsman

12. Hopefully, if you need a surgeon, you would hire him/her on their knowledge base, not just on their "mechanical" abilities to run a scalpel or apply sutures. Skilled labor must be backed up by the amount of knowledge required to apply it properly.

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Horsemanship

Horsemanship (noun) -- 1. Skill in riding and managing a horse. 2. Understanding natural or instinctual horse behavior.

One can spend a lifetime trying to get along with horses and still not know a lot about horse behavior and horsemanship. Horsemanship, like farriery is a lifetime study.

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Why is it important for a farrier to be able to get along with horses?

· Efficiency

· Safety

· Longevity/Career

· Less Physical Harm

· Better Job

· It's the area that clients complain the most about.

· Responsibility to client and horse.

· Do more horses per day.

· Less Fatigue

· Farrier is not as sore the next day.

· Farrier can be proud to walk around horses with no trouble.

· Makes farrier look good.

· More return business.

· Horses get easier to do every time they are shod/trimmed.

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Why do farriers get into trouble with horses?

· Clients (and farriers) do not know what a horse is expected to do or how to prepare a horse to be shod. a). Horse's mind must be in neutral. b). Horse must be able to stand on three legs. c). Horse must be able to withstand concussion on the bottoms of its feet.

· Client wants speed and price.

· Client gives farrier additional horse or horses to do which were not scheduled.

· Farrier is inexperienced and/or lacks knowledge of how horse works and operates.

· Poor place to work/poor facilities.

· Lack of patience.

· Most farriers think hoof preparation and shoeing come first. The horse comes first, trimming and shoeing comes second.

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Farriers become frustrated/angry because of:

· Client has a poor horse to do.

· Horse takes extra time because of poor behavior or a problem.

· Did not get paid promptly last time.

· Client expresses knowledge but their horse tells another story.

· Horses are not on a schedule.

· Poor horse handler/holder: a). Talks too much. b). Gets in the way. c). Does not ask farrier what they can do to make job easier or how they want the horse held. d). Indifferent or does not care to be there. e). Does not pay attention. f). Does not stay on the proper side in relation to the farrier when necessary. g). Runs to answer the telephone (easily distracted). h). Disciplines horse while farrier is underneath it. i). Most people assume if shoes got put on the horse then the horse must have been easy to do. j). Clients expect farriers to train their horses: Within an average clientele the percentage of horses which are good to work on: a). Excellent 2% b). Good 5% c). Average 10% d). Poor 81% e). Dangerous 2% (should not be done)

· Farrier does not allow enough time for young horses or horses with problems (behavioral or conformational).

· Client does not express that horse is hard to do.

· Previous shore was hard on horse (unfair or mistreated).

· Previous shore did a poor job so extra work is needed.

· Farrier knows that he/she can't charge enough money to come out.

· Not enough appreciation for good work.

· Why do clients tell you what a good farrier they had before when even his/her peers know they do poor quality work and you can look at the job and know they did poor work? a). Client is use to seeing poor work. b). Client has confidence in other horseshoer. c). Previous horseshoer told client what they wanted to hear. d). The client did not have to pay as much ~ the last horseshoer was cheaper. e). Clients convince themselves that the work was "good enough".

· Farrier feels that they are being taken advantage of.

· Contract is broken.

· No incentive to do good work.

· Clients complaints are not justified.

· Clients always have the advantage.

· Client's criteria for "judging" a horseshoeing job ~ #1 Priority is price. What did it cost? Art, labor, science, horsemanship and quality are #2 Priority ~ Even if it is considered at all.

The longer you stay under a horse, the more well mannered the horse needs to be. The reasons you would have to stay under a horse longer could be: trying to do a good job, poorly conformed horse or neglected hoof care.

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Why is a horse poorly mannered?

· Owner lacks understanding of horse behavior.

· The way they are handled and ridden (horse is scared).

· Owner does not take time for ground work (feels it is unimportant).

· Owner is intimidated by horse on the ground.

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Characteristics of a horse that is poor to shoe.

· Doesn't tie

· Spooky

· Guarded

· Unpredictable

· Disrespectful

· "Numb"

· "Snaps foot off of the ground.

· Aggressive behavior

· Dominant behavior

· Hard to catch

· Won't herd well

· No handling or poor handling

· Does not adjust

· Does not get better

· short (or no) attention span

· won't stand still, moves around

· Can't fly spray

· Can't hose off legs

· Requires a handler

· Hard moving

· Poor conformed

· Diseased and/or in pain

· Cannot accept restraint

· Afraid (bites, strikes, sulls up, kicks)

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Characteristics of a good horse to shoe.

· No resistance, accepts restraint

· Well mannered

· "Hands" foot to you

· Very tolerant

· Easily trained, adjusts readily

· Consistent behavior

· Moves away from pressure

· Leads well

· Ties

· Easy to catch

· Well conformed

· Free moving

· Able to fly spray

· Able to hose off legs

· Responsive attitude

· Not spooky to: a). Noise of grinder. b). Smoke from hot seating and/or forge. c). The noise of the forge. d). Electric cords. e). Can bring foot forward. f). Can use hoof stand.

· Free from disease/pain

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Lack of horsemanship -- Solutions

· Shoe horse where they are comfortable, used to being

· Bring out another horse (quiet) for company.

· Hire a qualified handler (one that understands what is necessary what is needed from horse to be shod).

· Farrier takes a qualified horse holder with him/her.

· Hire two farriers to work together at the same time.

· Pay farrier for extra time.

· Tip farrier, shoe appreciation.

· Shoeing is not a social event.

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Why should you know about horse's feet, legs and proper horseshoeing?

1. Can't be taken care of.

2. More performance.

3. Dependability of horse.

4. Protect your investment.

5. Cheapest insurance that you can buy.

6. #1 killer (the horse is only as good as their feet and legs, the foot is the weakest link).

7. Get the best out of the horse.

8. Prevent unsoundness (many horses are in more trouble than owners and trainers are aware of).

9. Know value for money (ripped off).

10. Comfort for horse.

11. Encourages horse to learn -- better attitude.

12. Farrier and Vet know what you do not.

13. Know maintenance costs -- minimize maintenance costs.

14. Expect possible problems.

15. Avoid problems.

16. Know horse's limitations.

17. Realistic goals.

18. Appreciate the value of what the farrier can and will do for you.

19. Part of the team -- to help the horse.

20. Verifies you are a good horseperson.

21. Reduce vet costs.

22. Communication can take place.

23. Poor horseshoeing can put a horse out of commission.

24. Horseshoers can "manufacture" unsoundness.

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Four basic types of hooves.

Type 1: Good Shape & Good Horn (Wall of the foot)

Type 2: Good Shape & Weak Horn

Type 3: Deformed Shape & Good Horn

Type 4: Deformed Shape & Weak Horn

Type 1 Hoof -- Good Shape & Good Horn

Characteristics: Level hairline; ground bearing surface shaped the same as the coronary band (hairline). Full round toe with symmetrical quarters; well defined frog, centered on the hoof with a concave sole. It also has a strong heel, pastern and toe balance (in parallel). All round the horn tissue (the wall of the foot) is in very good and healthy condition.

Type 1 hoof is associated with good conformation. With a few exceptions, the type 1 hoof is a balanced hoof. Horses with a type 1 hoof can usually be balanced by trimming alone. Due to good quality horn, the type 1 hoof is not adversely affected by changes in the weather. The horse with type 1 hoof can lose a shoe and not suffer any ill effects to the hoof. The good natural shape and good horn make the type 1 hoof the best possible hoof.

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Type 2 Hoof -- Good Shape & Weak Horn

The type 2 hoof is also associated with good conformation. With the exception of the weak horn, it resembles the type 1 hoof. The weak horn of the type 2 hoof imposes a shoeing requirement for all types of work. If the horse with type 2 hooves is not being worked, he may be turned out unshod; however, the horse may become "tender-footed" until his hooves toughen. The type 2 hoof is adversely affected by moisture and temperature cycling. The type 2 hoof is also susceptible to horn fungus and yeast infection (white line disease).

The type 2 hoof responds best to hot-fitting; the hot shoe seals the ends of the horn tubules, which counteract the effects of moisture and harmful bacteria. Precisely fitted shoes with well seated clips are required to hold the type 2 hoof together during periods of hard work or adverse weather. Slim shanked nails may be required in order to prevent splitting of the weak horn.

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Type 3 Hoof -- Deformed Shape & Good Horn

The type 3 hoof is deformed due to conformational faults. The ground surface of the foot is not the same shape as the coronary band (hair line). The hair line may not be level. Type 3 hoof deformities include excessively long toe, flared quarter, flared toe, low heel, contracted heel and flat foot.

Balanced Stride

What is a Farrier