Hello,
I got my first spotted draft about 2.5 years ago and being new to the area kept the farrier used by the previous owner. He is not fond of shoeing drafts but will do them. (on top of not liking them he was injured badly by one last year.) My mare has always been stubborn - leans a lot on him. I got a 3yo barely halter broke mare a year ago, whose feet were a mess. She had some initial ground training issues but turned out to be pretty good for her feet. That mare ended up being pregnant and I now have a 3rd draft. With a farrier who openly doesn't like to do drafts, hasn't taken new clients for a quite a while, and doesn't like my first mare. Plus just before delivery the other mare was bad for her trim (chalked up to fat and hormonal) then 1st trim when foal was 4 wks - she was miserable about her trim (pulling away, rushing forward - just BAD). Her colt was better behaved for his first ever trim! I have started working her again, and hopefully she will be better next time. Her feet are still a work in progress, lots of cracks and flaring. Have had her on hoof supp the entire time (grand hoof with msm for the past 6 months, another before that). I think, to help with the cracks etc, she should have a trim every 4 weeks, maybe even shoes now that she has been backed and will be getting ridden more and more. My farrier times her trims with my other mare's shoes - usually 6 weeks. I am worried about the chipping and cracks, plus she seems to have separation of the hoof from the wall along the sole - deep crevice all around bottom of hoof. She has never been the slightest bit lame.

The main question is, should I look for another farrier, or talk to my farrier about it? He jokes about not liking drafts - but I wonder if he would really prefer I use someone else? I know I am one of his good customers as far as I always pay him and am willing to work with my horses. I have heard of other farriers who like the drafts in the area, and there is even a "master farrier" in the area. Since he hasn't taken new clients in about 2 years he may want to lighten his client list. Especially of 3 drafts.

The other question would be with the bad feet - should she get done more frequently? Would shoes help? Wouldn't it be good for the colt to be exposed to the farrier every 4 weeks too? He will be at least 18.2hh and I don't want him to be bad for his feet.

Thanks and sorry so long.
Heather

About the horse, you said that there has never been a lameness issue. If there is not any lameness, then the chips and cracks may be just superficial and not mean anything at all. Just aesthetically unappealing. As to a shorter trimming schedule, I would have trouble myself going out for just one trim when I would be on the premises a couple weeks later anyway.

I would talk to your farrier, perhaps even have him read what you wrote to me. You can then have an open and honest discussion about whether or not he wants to continue with your horses. It sounds as if you would be a fine client.

Finally, concerning the "master farrier," I would be careful of that title. There is an association that gives that title to certain farriers, but they are not considered all that reputable. A friend of mine had a dog that had a Master Farrier card and certificate from this association. I would look for an American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier.

My farrier is here frequently anyway. I am at a boarding facility and he does several of the horses here. I actually have told him in the past to try to combine us with other visits to make less trips.

He was here a few days ago and everyone was better this time! I talked to him about getting a hoof stand to work with so they would be better with that.
The older mare is such a pest - she very calmly and quietly will take her weight off (actually cock her foot) on the opposite hind leg when he works on a front hoof. Then you see her whole back shift as she leans on him.